brighten
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
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to make or become bright or brighter
-
to make or become cheerful
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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brightensimple
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brightenssimple
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have brightenedperfect
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has brightenedperfect
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am brighteningprogressive
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are brighteningprogressive
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is brighteningprogressive
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have been brighteningperfect progressive
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has been brighteningperfect progressive
Past
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brightenedsimple
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had brightenedperfect
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was brighteningprogressive
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were brighteningprogressive
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had been brighteningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of brighten
First recorded in 1250–1300, brighten is from the Middle English word brightnen. See bright, -en 1
Explanation
To brighten is to make something lighter, the way you brighten your back yard with glowing patio lights or brighten up your gloomy bedroom by painting the walls yellow. When the sun comes out after several rainy days, it brightens your house and the walk to school, but it can also brighten your mood. This verb is perfect for both ways of making things light and cheerful — adding something that emits light or lending a happy or hopeful mood to a situation. Your best friend may be so funny and positive that they brighten a room just by walking in.
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.
Joe Bailey, CEO of Brighten the Corners, which runs the 300-capacity venue in Ipswich, hoped other big artists would be inspired to do the same.
From BBC • Mar. 28, 2025
Advice from Wirecutter: Brighten your summer with a tie-dye kit.
From New York Times • Jul. 28, 2022
Brighten someone’s living space with this tree that’s said to usher in prosperity.
From Fox News • Dec. 9, 2021
The set includes the local company’s Brighten Gemstone Mask, with pineapple enzymes that exfoliate and brighten, and Orchid Facial Oil, with jasmine oil and orchid extract for hydration and glow.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 31, 2020
Brighten up stainless steel sinks with baby oil.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
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.
