brighten

verb

bright·​en ˈbrī-tᵊn How to pronounce brighten (audio)
brightened; brightening ˈbrīt-niŋ How to pronounce brighten (audio)
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of brightennext

intransitive verb

: to become bright or brighter

transitive verb

1
: to make bright or brighter
you brightened my day
2
: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)
Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.—Melissa Roberts-Matar
brightener
ˈbrīt-nər How to pronounce brighten (audio)
ˈbrī-tᵊn-ər
noun

Synonyms of brighten

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Examples of brighten in a Sentence

He brightened the picture on the television. Flowers can brighten any room. The good news brightened her mood. The sky brightened after the storm. Business prospects brightened last month. Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An impromptu grocery-store bouquet can easily brighten your (or just about anyone’s) day. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 4 Aug. 2026 The Eye Recovery Pro targets signs of aging around the eyes in 3-minute sessions using four wavelengths to help visibly brighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 Its dewy coverage gives cheeks a bright, doll-like, natural flush that highlights the cheekbones and brightens complexions. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026 Saturated without feeling loud, the playful hue transforms the Moss table and chairs into a statement set that brightens the whole room (though a natural Birch finish is also available for color skeptics). — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for brighten

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of brighten was in the 14th century

Rhymes for brighten

See All Rhymes for brighten

Browse Nearby Words

bright emerald green
brighten
brightener
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brighten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brighten. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

brighten

verb
bright·​en ˈbrīt-ᵊn How to pronounce brighten (audio)
brightened; brightening ˈbrīt-niŋ How to pronounce brighten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become bright or brighter

More from Merriam-Webster on brighten

Nglish: Translation of brighten for Spanish Speakers

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