noun
Uncommon
brightness
BRYT-nuhs
Brightness (noun) means the quality or degree of giving off or reflecting light. Example: “You can adjust the brightness of your phone screen in the settings.”
noun
1
The quality or degree of giving off or reflecting light.
"You can adjust the brightness of your phone screen in the settings."
"The brightness of the summer sky made her squint."
How to use brightness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow bright something is.
Common pairings
adjust the brightness
screen brightness
level of brightness
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Word forms
- Plural
- brightnesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can adjust the _____ of your phone screen in the settings.
Etymology
From Old English beorhtnes, from bright plus the suffix -ness.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for brightness
See all rhymes for brightness →Frequently asked questions
What does “brightness” mean?
The word “brightness” means the quality or degree of giving off or reflecting light. In plain terms, how bright something is.
How do you pronounce “brightness”?
“Brightness” is pronounced BRYT-nuhs (/ˈbɹaɪtnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “brightness” in a sentence?
Here is “brightness” used in a sentence: “You can adjust the brightness of your phone screen in the settings.”
What part of speech is “brightness”?
“Brightness” is a noun.
Where does the word “brightness” come from?
The word “brightness” comes from Old English. From Old English beorhtnes, from bright plus the suffix -ness.
Is “brightness” a common word?
“Brightness” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between brightness and contrast on a screen?
Brightness refers to the overall quality or degree of light a screen gives off, making the whole image lighter or darker. Contrast, by comparison, controls the difference between the lightest and darkest parts of the image, rather than the overall light level.
What is the difference between brightness and brilliance?
Brightness describes the general quality of giving off or reflecting light, while brilliance often implies an especially intense or dazzling degree of that light. In everyday use they overlap, but brilliance suggests a stronger or more vivid effect.
Does brightness only apply to light, or can it describe other things?
Brightness most directly describes the degree to which something gives off or reflects light, as with a lamp, screen, or sunny day. It is also used figuratively for vivid colors or lively, cheerful qualities, extending the core sense of light beyond literal illumination.
