brightness
Americannoun
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the quality of being bright.
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Optics. the luminance of a body, apart from its hue or saturation, that an observer uses to determine the comparative luminance of another body. Pure white has the maximum brightness, and pure black the minimum brightness.
noun
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the condition of being bright
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physics a former name for luminosity
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psychol the experienced intensity of light
Etymology
Origin of brightness
before 950; Middle English brihtnes, Old English beorhtnes. See bright, -ness
Vocabulary lists containing brightness
Space Science (Astronomy) - Introductory
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Physics - Introductory
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Physics - Middle School
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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.
Although the comet reached peak brightness on April 22, 1066, it was not visible in Brittany and the British Isles until April 24.
From Science Daily • May 13, 2026
Despite its brightness, it has raised questions since 1866, when Italian astronomer Angelo Secchi noticed something unusual in its light.
From Science Daily • May 1, 2026
I need something that moves with me — something that honors the impulse to decide, mid-meal, you know what, this needs a little brightness, and makes it effortless to follow through.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026
Distinctive features of the Lyrids are their colours and brightness - along with exceptionally bright fireballs from time to time, outshining the planet Venus.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
The lights came back on, and I blinked against the brightness.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
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.
