brighten — to become brighter or to make something brighter
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become brighter or to make something brighter
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbraɪtən/
Example Sentences
- My teacher's terrible jokes somehow manage to brighten even the most boring math class.
- She decided to brighten her bedroom by painting the walls yellow.
- The dog's face brightened immediately when it heard the word 'walk'.
brighten
VERB[/ˈbraɪtən/]
to become brighter or to make something brighter

to become brighter or to make something brighter

When shadows no longer frighten, morning rays brighten and lighten!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the Old English word 'beorht' meaning 'bright' or 'shining', combined with the causative suffix '-en' which means 'to make' or 'to cause to be'. The root traces back to Proto-Germanic origins related to light and radiance.
Breakdown
bright (adjective: shining, luminous) + -en (suffix: to make or cause to become) = brighten (to make bright or become bright)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My teacher's terrible jokes somehow manage to brighten even the most boring math class.”
“She decided to brighten her bedroom by painting the walls yellow.”
“The dog's face brightened immediately when it heard the word 'walk'.”
“A single compliment can brighten someone's entire week.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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