verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈbɹaɪtən/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:[ˈbɹaɪ̯ʔn̩]
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪtən
homophone: Brighton
CMU ARPABET:B R AY1 T AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To make bright or brighter in color.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
We brightened the room with a new coat of paint.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To make more cheerful and pleasant; to enliven
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
Examples
to brighten one’s prospects
Having Mark around the place really brightens things up.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To grow bright, or more bright in color; to clear up
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
The sun starts to brighten around this time of the year.
The sky brightened as the storm moved on.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
To become brighter or more cheerful in mood
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
She brightened when I changed the subject.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
verb
Meaning 6
make lighter or brighter
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The paint will brighten the room
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: lighten up, lighten
Antonyms: darken
Broader terms: change, alter, modify
7
verb
Meaning 7
become clear
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The sky cleared after the storm
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: clear up, clear, light up
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From bright + -en.
Across languages
Translations
30 source translations are retained for this English entry.
German:
aufhellen
— make brighter in color
Korean:
밝히다
(balkida)
— make brighter in color
Korean:
밝게 하다
(balge)
— make brighter in color
Māori:
whakakitakita
— make brighter in color
Portuguese:
clarear
— make brighter in color
Portuguese:
iluminar
— make brighter in color
Slovene:
posvetliti
— make brighter in color
Albanian:
n'drit
— add luster or splendor
Bulgarian:
лъскам
(lǎskam)
— add luster or splendor
German:
schönen
— add luster or splendor
Māori:
whakapīata
— add luster or splendor
German:
aufhellen
— make more cheerful
Korean:
밝게 하다
(balge hada)
— make more cheerful
Māori:
whakawana
— make more cheerful
Māori:
whakahihiko
— make more cheerful
Māori:
whakaharikoa
— make more cheerful
Portuguese:
animar
— make more cheerful
Slovene:
razvedriti
— make more cheerful
Bulgarian:
прояснявам се
(projasnjavam se)
— become brighter in color
German:
sich aufhellen
— become brighter in color
Korean:
밝아지다
(balgajida)
— become brighter in color
Latin:
candēscō
— become brighter in color
Portuguese:
clarear
— become brighter in color
Swedish:
ljusna
— become brighter in color
Ottoman Turkish:
آیدینلنمق
(aydınlanmak)
— become brighter in color
German:
sich aufhellen
— become brighter in mood
Korean:
환해지다
(hwanhaejida)
— become brighter in mood
Korean:
밝아지다
(balgajida)
— become brighter in mood
