brighten

Make more luminous

Brighten means to make or become lighter, more luminous, or more vivid.

The sun brightens a room when clouds part; a fresh coat of paint brightens dull walls.

The word extends naturally to mood and demeanor: Her face brightened when she heard the news.

To brighten up a space is to add light, color, or cheerful touches.

Things that brighten your day lift your spirits or improve your outlook.

illuminate

light

Visible electromagnetic radiation

glowSteady, soft light
shineEmit or reflect light
radianceGlowing luminous quality

gleam · sparkle · shimmer · luminosity · beam · flicker · illuminate · irradiate · enlighten · fluorescence

polish

buff

Avid fan; also burnish

burnishPolish by rubbing
shineEmit or reflect light
glossShine or annotation

sheen · gleam · luster · wax · glaze · smooth · restore · clean · rub · scour

cheer

uplift

Raise emotionally or physically

gladdenCause to rejoice
heartenTo give courage
elateMake extremely joyful

encourage · joy · comfort · cheerful · hopeful · sunny · optimistic · merry · lighthearted · buoyant

flush

blush

Facial reddening from emotion

glowSteady, soft light
colorVisual hue property
warmthHeat you feel

ruddy · rosy · flush · pinken · redden · complexion

enhance

improve

Raise in quality

boostUpward push or increase
amplifyIncrease in strength
intensifyIncrease in degree

heighten · enrich · elevate · vivify · enliven · revitalize · invigorate · freshen · liven · energize

Categories

lightsunlight, daylight, shine, rays, moonlight
lightenbleach, fade, whiten, illuminate, ease
screen brightnessdim, backlight, dimmer, night mode, dark mode
coloringcoloring book, dye, colorize, coloring books, coloring page
encouragementencourage, encouraging, praises, hang in there, supports
weather verbsrain, snow, hail, sleet, drizzle

Opposites

light/luminosity

brightendarken

Diminish light in

dim · shade · shadow · obscure · blacken

mood/emotional state

brightensadden

Cause to grieve

depress · dampen · dispirit · deject · dishearten

color/vividness

brightendull

Lacking edge or interest

fade · tarnish · mute · wash out · deepen

Phrases

bright sidePositive aspect of something
bright redIntense scarlet hue
bright ideaClever sudden thought
bright colorsIntense, saturated hues
bright and earlyVery early morning
bright futureAnticipated success and happiness

Family

bright, brightness, brightly, brighter, brightest, brightens, brightened, brightening, brightener

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G