Skip to main content

brightento 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
💡 Concept

to become brighter or to make something brighter

When shadows no longer frighten, morning rays brighten and lighten!
🎵 Rhyme

When shadows no longer frighten, morning rays brighten and lighten!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈbraɪtən/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈbraɪtən/

🌳Etymology

Rootbright
Suffix--en

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

frightenlightentightenheighten
frighten
lighten
tighten
heighten

🔗Collocations

brighten up
brighten someone's day
brighten the mood
brighten the room
brighten with a smile
brighten the future

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

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.

😄 Fun example

The dog's face brightened immediately when it heard the word 'walk'.

A single compliment can brighten someone's entire week.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

illuminatelightencheer upenlivenenhance

Antonyms

darkendimdepress

Related

brightbrightnessbrilliantshineglow

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.