verb
brighten
BREYE-tuhn
verb
1
To make or become lighter or more vivid in colour.
"A coat of white paint brightened the whole room."
2
To make or become more cheerful.
"Her visit really brightened his day."
"His mood brightened as soon as the sun came out."
How to Use Brighten
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something lighter, more colourful, or more cheerful — or to become that way.
Common pairings
brighten up
brighten someone's day
brighten the mood
Word Forms
brightened past tense, brighten plural, brightened plural, brightens singular, brighten singular, brightened singular, brightenest singular, brightenedst singular, brighteneth singular
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A coat of white paint _____ the whole room.
Etymology
From bright plus the verb-forming suffix -en.