brightwork
Americannoun
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polished metal parts, as on a ship or automobile.
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Nautical. all plain or varnished woodwork that is kept scoured on a vessel.
noun
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shiny metal trimmings or fittings on ships, cars, etc
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varnished or plain woodwork on a vessel
Etymology
Origin of brightwork
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.
Compared to the toolbox angularity of its rivals, the CX-90’s presentation is sleek, urbane, even fancy, with lots of brightwork accenting the front and rear bumpers, rocker panels and grille frame.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2025
Charismatic details such as the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlamps, chrome spears on the doors, and handsome brightwork smile complete the picture.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2018
While their social-climbing officers fopped and preened, sailors spent long days at sea scrubbing decks and polishing brightwork, or wielding cutlasses in boarding drills as if they were still in the age of sail.
From Time Magazine Archive
All U.S. automobiles made after New Year's Day will be sans nickel, chromium or aluminum brightwork.
From Time Magazine Archive
From Communications Chief CPO Haskins to Spaceman Zelinski there was about as much spirit in them as you'd find in a punishment detail polishing brightwork in Base Headquarters.
From A Question of Courage by Finlay, Virgil
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
