Library / English Dictionary

BRIGHTEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make more cheerful through the use of color

Example:

The paint will brighten the room

Synonyms:

brighten; lighten; lighten up

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "brighten" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Antonym:

darken (make dark or darker)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Become clear

Example:

The sky cleared after the storm

Synonyms:

brighten; clear; clear up; light up

Classified under:

Verbs of raining, snowing, thawing, thundering

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
It is ----ing

Credits

 Context examples: 

All Endeavour Island brightened under the sun.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The three-day observations reveal that the comet shards brighten and dim as icy patches on their surfaces rotate into and out of sunlight.

(Hubble Takes Close-up Look at Disintegrating Comet, NASA)

The second year began rather soberly, for their prospects did not brighten, and Aunt March died suddenly.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Yes, but that did not last long,” said Catherine, her eyes brightening at the recollection of what had first given spirit to her existence there.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

"Are you serious?" cried Mary, her eyes brightening.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

It would brighten my declining years to see a German cruiser navigating the Solent according to the mine-field plans which I have furnished.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The simplest model of tidal flexing provides a good match for the brightness variations Cassini observes, but it does not predict the time when the plume begins to brighten.

(101 Geysers on Icy Saturn Moon, NASA)

I should have thought so theoretically myself, but, and her eyes brightened as she spoke, take it all and all, I never spent so happy a summer.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I am sorry for that, returned the other, while her eyes brightened at the information, it would have gave me such pleasure to meet you there!

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The prospect before her now, was threatening to a degree that could not be entirely dispelled—that might not be even partially brightened.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)