Brighten: meaning, definitions and examples

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brighten

[ˈbraɪt(ə)n ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

mood

To make or become brighter. To become more cheerful or lively.

Synonyms

cheer up, illuminate, lighten.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brighten	Used when describing making something lighter or more colorful or when making someone feel happier. The new paint will brighten the room. Her smile can brighten anyone's day.
lighten	Used when making something less heavy, less dark, or less serious. She wants to lighten her workload. The new curtains will lighten the room. The joke helped to lighten the mood.
illuminate	Used when describing lighting something up, often in a more dramatic or formal sense, or making something clearer or easier to understand. The fireworks illuminate the night sky. The professor illuminated the complex theory with a simple example.
cheer up	Used in informal situations to encourage someone to become happier. Cheer up! Things will get better. I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.

Examples of usage

The sun began to brighten the room.
Her smile brightened my day.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

color

To enhance the color or appearance of something.

Synonyms

enhance, freshen up, revitalize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brighten	This word is commonly used when talking about making a place, situation, or someone's mood lighter and more cheerful. She used new lights to brighten the living room His jokes helped to brighten everyone's mood at the party
enhance	Used when describing an improvement in quality, value, or attractiveness of something, often in a more subtle or refined way. The software update will enhance the user's experience Adding some spices can enhance the flavor of your dish
revitalize	Best used when talking about bringing something back to life or giving new energy and vigor, often after it has been in decline. The city council's new projects aim to revitalize the downtown area A good night's sleep can revitalize you for the coming day
freshen up	Appropriate for situations where you want to make something or yourself appear or feel cleaner, newer, or more energetic, typically after some form of renewal or restoration. I'm going to freshen up before the guests arrive She freshened up the room with a new coat of paint

Examples of usage

She used a highlighter to brighten her notes.
Adding a pop of color can brighten up a room.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

makeup

A cosmetic product used to add radiance or glow to the skin.

Synonyms

highlighter, illuminator, radiance booster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brighten	General term for making something lighter or more cheerful. Used for both physical and metaphorical contexts. She used a little makeup to brighten her face. A new coat of paint can brighten up the room.
highlighter	Specific type of makeup used primarily to accentuate certain facial features, creating a glowing effect. Also refers to a colored marker used to highlight text in documents. She applied highlighter to her cheekbones for a glowing effect. I need a new highlighter to mark important notes in my textbook.
illuminator	Often refers to cosmetic products designed to give the skin a luminous, radiant appearance. Sometimes used metaphorically in literature or art to describe someone or something that lights up or clarifies a situation. The makeup artist used an illuminator to give her skin a healthy glow. His words were an illuminator, bringing clarity to a confusing topic.
radiance booster	Usually refers to skincare or cosmetic products that enhance the skin's natural glow and make it look more vibrant. Common in beauty and wellness industries. She added a radiance booster to her skincare routine to make her complexion more vibrant. This serum acts as a radiance booster for tired and dull skin.

Examples of usage

She applied a brighten under her eyes to reduce dark circles.
This brighten gives a natural glow to the skin.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'bihtian', which means to make bright or to illuminate.
As it evolved, the suffix '-en' was added, indicating the action of making something brighter.

Psychology

Research shows that brighter environments can improve mood and increase productivity.
Bright colors, such as yellow and orange, are often associated with happiness and positivity.

Art

Artists use brightness to create focal points in their works, directing the viewer's eye.
The use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, enhances the overall brightness and depth of paintings.

Literature

In literature, the term often symbolizes hope or renewal, suggesting a new beginning.
Authors frequently use bright imagery to evoke feelings of happiness or enlightenment.

Science

In physics, brightness is related to the amount of light emitted from a source; hence, it's a key factor in vision.
Studies show that exposure to bright natural light can regulate sleep patterns and enhance overall wellness.

Translations

Translations of the word "brighten" in other languages:

🇵🇹 iluminar

🇮🇳 प्रकाशित करना

🇩🇪 aufhellen

🇮🇩 mencerahkan

🇺🇦 освітлювати

🇵🇱 rozjaśnić

🇯🇵 明るくする

🇫🇷 éclaircir

🇪🇸 iluminar

🇹🇷 aydınlatmak

🇰🇷 밝히다

🇸🇦 يضىء

🇨🇿 rozjasnit

🇸🇰 rozjasniť

🇨🇳 照亮

🇸🇮 osvetliti

🇮🇸 lýsa upp

🇰🇿 жарықтандыру

🇬🇪 განათება

🇦🇿 aydınlatmaq

🇲🇽 iluminar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,462, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20459 yearling
20460 instill
20461 resplendent
20462 brighten
20463 syllogism
20464 radiocarbon
20465 barrow
...