Brighten
['braɪt(ə)n] or ['braɪtn]
Definition
(verb.) make lighter or brighter; 'The paint will brighten the room'.
Inputed by Agnes--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to.
(a.) To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to.
(a.) 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.
(a.) To make acute or witty; to enliven.
(v. i.) To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful.
Checker: Presley
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Polish, burnish, furbish, make bright.[2]. Make cheerful, make joyous.
v. n. Grow bright.
Checked by Beth
Examples
- Well, sir,' observed Venus, after clutching at his dusty hair, to brighten his ideas, 'let us put it another way. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- But, Mr. Lennox says, things are sure to brighten'---- 'Mr. Lennox knows little about it,' said Mr. Thornton quietly. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- When I love a person very tenderly indeed, it seems to brighten. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Come, brighten up, dearest; we shall be all right again. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The second year began rather soberly, for their prospects did not brighten, and Aunt March died suddenly. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Of course I feel it, ma'am,' said Mr. Raddle, rubbing his hands, and evincing a slight tendency to brighten up a little. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- If a face so shaded can brighten, his face brightens somewhat; and by little and little he eats the slice of bread he had so hopelessly laid down. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- As he approached her Jane's heart beat faster and her eyes brightened as they had never done before at the approach of any man. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Snagsby has brightened in a moment. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- The boy's face flushed up, as it did usually when he was moved, and his eyes brightened. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Too many a time had I seen him in need of being brightened up with a comforting word! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Her colour rose, and her eyes brightened fiercely. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- He brightened up directly. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- She looked slightly surprised, and then her eyes brightened. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- He had had a trying day, and wanted a little brightening. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- You acted as I should have expected you to act, said Dorothea, her face brightening and her head becoming a little more erect on its beautiful stem. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Oh, you did get a-talking about the trial,' said Serjeant Buzfuz, brightening up with the anticipation of some important discovery. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- But after all,' said Mr. Nupkins, brightening for a moment, after a long pause; 'after all, this is a mere statement. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The morning star stood, with its solemn, holy eye of light, looking down on the man of sin, from out the brightening sky. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- You don't remember me, she continued, brightening with the pleasure of recognition, but I'd know you anywhere, I've thought of you such a lot. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- After some perplexed reflection, Sloppy answered, brightening, 'He called it something as wos wery long for spots. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Mortimer Lightwood alone brightens. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- If a face so shaded can brighten, his face brightens somewhat; and by little and little he eats the slice of bread he had so hopelessly laid down. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- The fluid brightens instead of fading the colors. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
Typed by Gilda