Synonyms

brighten

American

[brahyt-n] / ˈbraɪt n /

verb (used with or without object)

to become or make bright or brighter.

Synonyms:

hearten, lift, gladden, cheer, lighten

Antonyms:

sadden, deject, darken

brighten British

/ ˈbraɪtən /

verb

to make or become bright or brighter
to make or become cheerful

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

brightener noun
rebrighten verb
unbrightened adjective

Etymology

Origin of brighten

First recorded in 1250–1300, brighten is from the Middle English word brightnen. See bright, -en ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If fresh ice was exposed, why did the comet not brighten right away?

From Science Daily

Then she noticed something else in her drawer, and her eyes brightened suddenly.

From Literature

Common ingredients include hyaluronic acid to help with hydration, peptides for skin plumping, retinals for fine lines and vitamin C for brightening the under-eye area.

From Los Angeles Times

Head to higher elevations above 2,000 feet where there is more moisture to see slopes brightened with desert lily, sand verbena and flowering Orcutt’s woody aster.

From Los Angeles Times

“Jimmy, Papa said he can spare you for an hour. He’s coming out to—” She caught sight of me, and her face brightened.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023