brightˈen transitive verb and intransitive verb

1. To make or grow bright or brighter
2. To clear up
3. To cheer up

brightˈly adverb

brightˈness noun

brightˈsome adjective

1. Bright
2. Brilliant

brightening agent noun

A compound that increases the brightness of a white or coloured textile by converting some of the ultraviolet radiation into visible light

bright-field illumination noun

A method of illumination in microscopy in which the specimen appears dark on a bright background

brightˈwork noun

Polished metal on cars, etc

bright and early

1. Very early
2. In good time

bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)

Eager and alert

bright young thing

A member of the young and fashionable social set in the 1920s and 1930s

look on the bright side

To be hopeful

the bright lights

1. The places of entertainment in a city centre
2. City life, esp as compared with the quiet life of the countryside