Dictionary

brighten en · VERB

Pronunciation

• [ˈbɹaɪ̯ʔn̩] (US)
• /ˈbɹaɪtən/
• (UK) audio
• (US) audio

Etymology

From bright + -en.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To make bright or brighter in color.
   • We brightened the room with a new coat of paint.
2. (transitive) To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to
   • The preſent Queen is a Prince of as many and great Virtues as ever filled a Throne: How would it brighten Her Character to the preſent and after Ages, if She would exert Her utmoſt Authority to inſtill ſome Share of thoſe Virtues into Her People, which they are too degenerate to learn only from Her Example. 1709, [Jonathan Swift], A Project for the Advancement of Religion, and the Reformation of Manners. […], London: […] Benj[amin] Tooke, […], →OCLC, pages 58–59:
3. (figuratively, transitive) To make more cheerful and pleasant; to enliven
   • to brighten one’s prospects
   • An Ecstasie, which Mothers only feel, / Plays round my heart and brightens up my sorrow. 1712, Ambrose Philips, The Distrest Mother:
   • Chances for the measure's success brightened considerably […] with the elimination of the term "sexual orientation" […] The new term, "sexual status," has caused several former opponents of the bill […] to change their votes. 1979 April 14, “Conn. Senate Votes Yes on SB 705”, in Gay Community News, page 1:
   • Having Mark around the place really brightens things up.
4. (intransitive) To grow bright, or more bright in color; to clear up
   • The sky brightened as the storm moved on.
   • The sun starts to brighten around this time of the year.
5. (intransitive) To become brighter or more cheerful in mood
   • Then his sallow face brightened, for the hall had been carefully furnished, and was very clean. ¶ There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock-paper on the walls. 1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter II, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], →OCLC, page 0091:
   • She brightened when I changed the subject.

Forms

Deriveds

upbrighten · rebrighten · brighten up · brightener · brightenable · unbrightened · overbrighten

Translations (30)

de sich aufhellen (become brighter in color) · mi whakakitakita (make brighter in color) · de aufhellen (make more cheerful) · de aufhellen (make brighter in color) · ota آیدینلنمق (become brighter in color) · de sich aufhellen (become brighter in mood) · sv ljusna (become brighter in color) · ko 밝아지다 (become brighter in color) · pt clarear (make brighter in color) · sl razvedriti (become brighter in mood) · pt iluminar (make brighter in color) · pt clarear (become brighter in color) · ko 밝게 하다 (make brighter in color) · pt animar (make more cheerful) · mi whakapīata (add luster or splendor) · ko 환해지다 (become brighter in mood) · sl razvedriti (make more cheerful) · sq n'drit (add luster or splendor) · la candēscō (become brighter in color) · bg лъскам (add luster or splendor) · de schönen (add luster or splendor) · ko 밝아지다 (become brighter in mood) · bg прояснявам се (become brighter in color) · mi whakawana (make more cheerful) · mi whakahihiko (make more cheerful) · sl posvetliti (make brighter in color) · ko 밝게 하다 (make more cheerful) · pt animar-se (become brighter in mood) · mi whakaharikoa (make more cheerful) · ko 밝히다 (make brighter in color)