brighten
verbUS [ˈbɹaɪ̯ʔn̩] · /ˈbɹaɪtən/
Etymology From bright + -en.
1
To make bright or brighter in color.
- We brightened the room with a new coat of paint.
2
To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to
- The preſent Queen is a Prince of as many and great Virtues as ever filled a Throne: How would it brighten Her Character to the preſent and after Ages, if She would exert Her utmoſt Authority to inſtill ſome Share of thoſe Virtues into Her People, which they are too degenerate to learn only from Her Example.1709, [Jonathan Swift], A Project for the Advancement of Religion, and the Reformation of Manners. […], London: […] Benj[amin] Tooke, […], →OCLC, pages 58–59:
3
Figuratively To make more cheerful and pleasant; to enliven
- to brighten one’s prospects
- Having Mark around the place really brightens things up.
2 more examples
- An Ecstasie, which Mothers only feel, / Plays round my heart and brightens up my sorrow.1712, Ambrose Philips, The Distrest Mother:
- Chances for the measure's success brightened considerably […] with the elimination of the term "sexual orientation" […] The new term, "sexual status," has caused several former opponents of the bill […] to change their votes.1979 April 14, “Conn. Senate Votes Yes on SB 705”, in Gay Community News, page 1:
4
To grow bright, or more bright in color; to clear up
- The sun starts to brighten around this time of the year.
- The sky brightened as the storm moved on.
5
To become brighter or more cheerful in mood
- She brightened when I changed the subject.
- Then his sallow face brightened, for the hall had been carefully furnished, and was very clean. ¶ There was a neat hat-and-umbrella stand, and the stranger's weary feet fell soft on a good, serviceable dark-red drugget, which matched in colour the flock-paper on the walls.1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter II, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], →OCLC, page 0091:
- Derived terms
- brightenable, brightener, brighten up, unbrightened, upbrighten