Brighten
/ˈbraɪtən/
verbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To make something or someone more cheerful or radiant.
/ˈbraɪtən/
verbpositiveBeginner
General
To make or become brighter
The new paint brightened the room.
💡 Simply: To make something lighter or happier.
More Examples
2
The news brightened her spirits.
How It's Used
General
"The sun brightened the sky."
Figurative
"A smile brightened her face."
From Middle English *brighten*, from Old English *bryhtnian*, from *bryht* "bright".
Historically, 'brighten' was often used in contexts related to illumination, mirroring its connection to the word 'bright'.
Memory tip
Think of the sun brightening the day.
Practice
Base: bright
brightenningbritten
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written