brighten

brighten
[[t]bra͟ɪt(ə)n[/t]]
brightens, brightening, brightened
1) VERB If someone brightens or their face brightens, they suddenly look happier.

Seeing him, she seemed to brighten a little...

`Oh, we'd love to!' cried Nancy, her face brightening.

Brighten up means the same as brighten.

V P He brightened up a bit.

2) VERB If your eyes brighten, you suddenly look interested or excited.

His eyes brightened and he laughed...

[V with n] Her tearful eyes brightened with interest.

3) VERB If someone or something brightens a place, they make it more colourful and attractive.

[V n] Tubs planted with wallflowers brightened the area outside the door.

Brighten up means the same as brighten.

Also V n P V P n (not pron) David spotted the pink silk lampshade in a shop and thought it would brighten up the room.

4) V-ERG If someone or something brightens a situation or the situation brightens, it becomes more pleasant, enjoyable, or favourable.

[V n] That does not do much to brighten the prospects of kids in the city...

It is undeniable that the economic picture is brightening.

Syn:
PHR-V-ERG
Brighten up means the same as brighten.

Also V P V P n (not pron) His cheerful face brightens up the dullest of days.

5) V-ERG When a light brightens a place or when a place brightens, it becomes brighter or lighter.

The sky above the ridge of mountains brightened...

[V n] The late afternoon sun brightened the interior of the church.

6) VERB If the weather brightens, it becomes less cloudy or rainy, and the sun starts to shine.

By early afternoon the weather had brightened.

Brighten up means the same as brighten.

it V P Hopefully it will brighten up, or we'll be coming back early.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Brighten — Bright en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Brightened}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Brightening}.] Note: [From {Bright}, a.] 1. To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to. [1913 Webster] 2. To make illustrious,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Brighten — Bright en, v. i. [AS. beorhtan.] To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful. [1913 Webster] And night shall brighten into day. N. Cotton. [1913 Webster] And, all his prospects… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • brighten — [v1] make shine or glow buff up, burnish, clear up, enliven, gleam, grow sunny, illuminate, illumine, intensify, kindle, lighten, light up, polish, punch up*, spiff up*; concepts 244,250 Ant. darken, deepen, dull, fade brighten [v2] make happy,… …   New thesaurus

  • brighten — index enhance Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • brighten — O.E. *beorhtnian to make bright (see BRIGHT (Cf. bright)). Intrans. sense, to become brighter, attested from c.1300. Figurative use from 1590s. Related: Brightened; brightening …   Etymology dictionary

  • brighten — ► VERB 1) make or become brighter. 2) make or become happier and more cheerful …   English terms dictionary

  • brighten — [brīt′ n] vt., vi. [ME < OE brihtan < beorht,BRIGHT] 1. to make or become bright or brighter 2. to make or become happy or happier; gladden; cheer up …   English World dictionary

  • Brighten — Infobox musical artist Name = Brighten Img capt = From left to right: Justin, Alex, Ben, Austin Img size = Landscape = Background = group or band Alias = Origin = Chico, California, USA flagicon|United States Genre = Indie rock Years active =… …   Wikipedia

  • brighten — bright|en [ braıtn ] verb 1. ) brighten or brighten up intransitive to start to have more color or light: The sky slowly brightened. a ) transitive to give something more color or light: Light colors brighten a dark room. 2. ) brighten or… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • brighten — bright|en [ˈbraıtn] v ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(make lighter)¦ 2¦(make more attractive)¦ 3¦(make more enjoyable)¦ 4¦(become lighter/brighter)¦ 5¦(become sunny)¦ 6¦(become happy)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(MAKE LIGHTER)¦ [T] also brighten sth<=>up …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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