brighten
verb
bright·en ˈbrī-tᵊn 
brightened; brightening ˈbrīt-niŋ
ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ
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
Melissa Roberts-Matar brightener
ˈbrīt-nər
noun ˈbrī-tᵊn-ər
Synonyms
- buck up
- cheer (up)
- lighten
- look up
- perk (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web From dad jokes to funny, clean Christian jokes, having a line ready to brighten up any room during the Christmas season will ensure you a spot on the nice list this year. Woman's Day, 13 Sep. 2022 For more genius ways to brighten up your home, check out our picks for the best desk lamps and the best wireless charging lamps. Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 9 Sep. 2022 This pet-friendly plant is easy to take care of and will brighten up any corner of your home. Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 5 Aug. 2022 Filled with candies and confections from Lady M Bon Bon, it's bound to brighten up your season. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 8 July 2022 The rechargeable, outdoor LED camping lantern ($33.99/pack of 2) provides high/low brightness and a 360-degree beam to brighten up a tent. cleveland, 10 June 2022 Berk suggests adding pillows to each of the dining chairs or using a simple runner to brighten up your outdoor dining table. Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2022 Travel can be challenging these days so brighten up her trip with a beautiful piece of luggage. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 5 May 2022 Beautiful, natural looking veneers can vastly improve your smile and can actually take 5-10 years off of your appearance without surgery and brighten it for a subtle change. Brooklyn White, Essence, 30 Apr. 2022 See More
Woman's Day, 13 Sep. 2022 For more genius ways to brighten up your home, check out our picks for the best desk lamps and the best wireless charging lamps. Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 9 Sep. 2022 This pet-friendly plant is easy to take care of and will brighten up any corner of your home. Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 5 Aug. 2022 Filled with candies and confections from Lady M Bon Bon, it's bound to brighten up your season. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 8 July 2022 The rechargeable, outdoor LED camping lantern ($33.99/pack of 2) provides high/low brightness and a 360-degree beam to brighten up a tent. cleveland, 10 June 2022 Berk suggests adding pillows to each of the dining chairs or using a simple runner to brighten up your outdoor dining table. Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2022 Travel can be challenging these days so brighten up her trip with a beautiful piece of luggage. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 5 May 2022 Beautiful, natural looking veneers can vastly improve your smile and can actually take 5-10 years off of your appearance without surgery and brighten it for a subtle change. Brooklyn White, Essence, 30 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
brighten
verb
bright·en ˈbrī-tᵊn
brightened; brightening
1
: to add more light to
Candlelight brightened the room.
2
: to make or become cheerful
You brightened my day.
brightening
verb
as in lightening
to become glad or hopeful the glum soccer player started to brighten upon being told that his injury would not jeopardize his career Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- lightening
- glowing
- reviving
- encouraging
- sparkling
- looking up
- rejoicing
- beaming
- radiating
- bucking up
- cheering (up)
- gladdening
- perking (up)
- heartening
- livening (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- darkening
- saddening
- despairing
- brooding
- moping
- fretting
- desponding