brightened; brightening
ˈbrīt-niŋ 
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
1
: to make bright or brighter
you brightened my day
2
: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)
Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.—
Melissa Roberts-Matar
Melissa Roberts-MatarExamples of brighten in a Sentence
He brightened the picture on the television.
Flowers can brighten any room.
The good news brightened her mood.
The sky brightened after the storm.
Business prospects brightened last month.
Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer and Styler Best Amazon Skincare Deals
Restock your skincare collection while this popular neck cream, brightening micellar water, and more favorites are marked down.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
On annual planting days, the garden club ladies brought plants into the city and joined residents in planting and installing window boxes to brighten up their neighborhood blocks.
—Sonja Dümpelmann, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Another way to brighten your bedroom is with The Company Store Classic Cool Cotton Percale Comforter, which provides a cool and natural effect
Adding spring colors can be as easy as swapping out your wall art.
—Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Hands On Time: 30 mins Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
12
Jump to Nutrition Facts
This tangy take on angel food cake is all flair, no fuss: Half the batter is brightened with lemon zest and egg yolks for a rich, citrusy swirl.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Clara McMahon, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
On annual planting days, the garden club ladies brought plants into the city and joined residents in planting and installing window boxes to brighten up their neighborhood blocks.
—Sonja Dümpelmann, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Another way to brighten your bedroom is with The Company Store Classic Cool Cotton Percale Comforter, which provides a cool and natural effect
Adding spring colors can be as easy as swapping out your wall art.
—Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Hands On Time: 30 mins Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
12
Jump to Nutrition Facts
This tangy take on angel food cake is all flair, no fuss: Half the batter is brightened with lemon zest and egg yolks for a rich, citrusy swirl.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brighten
Cite this Entry
“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share