'Brighten' definitions:
Definition of 'brighten'
(from WordNet)
Definition of 'Brighten'
From: GCIDE
- 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 brightening to the last, His heaven commences ere world be past. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Brighten'
From: GCIDE
- 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, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to. [1913 Webster]
- The present queen would brighten her character, if she would exert her authority to instill virtues into her people. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To improve or relieve by dispelling gloom or removing that which obscures and darkens; to shed light upon; to make cheerful; as, to brighten one's prospects. [1913 Webster]
- An ecstasy, which mothers only feel, Plays round my heart and brightens all my sorrow. --Philips. [1913 Webster]
- 4. To make acute or witty; to enliven. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'brighten'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- animate,
- beacon,
- boost,
- break,
- brighten up,
- buoy up,
- burnish,
- cheer,
- cheer up,
- dawn,
- encourage,
- enlighten,
- enliven,
- exhilarate,
- flood with light,
- floodlight,
- gild,
- gild the lily,
- give a lift,
- gladden,
- grow bright,
- grow light,
- hearten,
- highlight,
- illume,
- illuminate,
- illumine,
- inspire,
- inspirit,
- invigorate,
- irradiate,
- light,
- light up,
- lighten,
- liven,
- luminate,
- overshine,
- perk up,
- pick up,
- polish,
- rejoice,
- rejoice the heart,
- relume,
- relumine,
- shed light upon,
- shine,
- shine upon,
- spotlight,
- sweeten,
- throw light upon,
- vitalize