adv B1 Intermediate Uncommon

brightly

BRYT-lee

Brightly (adv) means In a way that gives off strong light, or cheerfully. Example: “The stars shone brightly over the desert.”

adv

In a way that gives off strong light, or cheerfully.

"The stars shone brightly over the desert."

"She smiled brightly as she opened her gift."

How to use brightly

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn a bright, vivid, or cheerful manner.

Common pairings

shine brightly smile brightly brightly coloured

brightlier comparative, more brightly comparative, brightliest superlative, most brightly superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The stars shone _____ over the desert.

From Old English beorhtlice, from bright plus -ly.

Origin: Old English

bright brilliantly

light happy dark smart bright brilliant intelligent clever

nightly lightly tightly rightly slightly unsightly

What does “brightly” mean?

The word “brightly” means in a way that gives off strong light, or cheerfully. In plain terms, in a bright, vivid, or cheerful manner.

How do you pronounce “brightly”?

“Brightly” is pronounced BRYT-lee (/ˈbɹaɪtli/ in IPA).

How do you use “brightly” in a sentence?

Here is “brightly” used in a sentence: “The stars shone brightly over the desert.”

What part of speech is “brightly”?

“Brightly” is an adverb.

Where does the word “brightly” come from?

The word “brightly” comes from Old English. From Old English beorhtlice, from bright plus -ly.

Is “brightly” a common word?

“Brightly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

light happy dark smart bright brilliant intelligent clever