brighten
verb /ˈbraɪtn/
/ˈbraɪtn/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they brighten | /ˈbraɪtn/ /ˈbraɪtn/ |
| he / she / it brightens | /ˈbraɪtnz/ /ˈbraɪtnz/ |
| past simple brightened | /ˈbraɪtnd/ /ˈbraɪtnd/ |
| past participle brightened | /ˈbraɪtnd/ /ˈbraɪtnd/ |
| -ing form brightening | /ˈbraɪtnɪŋ/ /ˈbraɪtnɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to become or make something lighter or brighter in colour
- In the distance, the sky was beginning to brighten.
- brighten something a shampoo to brighten and condition your hair
- The morning sunshine brightened the room.
- [intransitive, transitive] to become, feel or look happier; to make somebody look happier
- Her eyes brightened.
- brighten up He brightened up at their words of encouragement.
- brighten something (up) A smile brightened her face.
Extra Examples- She brightened up a little at the thought of the cruise.
- Their rather heavy faces brightened visibly.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- a little
- slightly
- …
- [transitive, intransitive] brighten (something) (up) to become or make something become more pleasant; to bring hope
- A personal letter will usually brighten up a person's day.
- [transitive] brighten something (up) to make something look more brightly coloured and attractive
- Fresh flowers will brighten up any room in the house.
- [intransitive] brighten (up) (of the weather) to improve and become brighter
- According to the forecast, it should brighten up later.
Word OriginOld English (ge)beorhtnian.