brighten

bright|en [ˈbraıtn] v

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1¦(make lighter)¦

2¦(make more attractive)¦

3¦(make more enjoyable)¦

4¦(become lighter/brighter)¦

5¦(become sunny)¦

6¦(become happy)¦

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1.) ¦(MAKE LIGHTER)¦ [T]

also brighten sth<=>up

to make something lighter or brighter

▪ Use blonde highlights to brighten your hair.

▪ The morning sunshine brightened up the room.

2.) ¦(MAKE MORE ATTRACTIVE)¦ [T]

also brighten sth<=>up

to make something more colourful or attractive

▪ She bought some flowers to brighten the room.

▪ I want to brighten the place up a bit.

3.) ¦(MAKE MORE ENJOYABLE)¦ [T]

also brighten sth<=>up

to make something more enjoyable, exciting or interesting

▪ His letter brightened my day.

▪ I felt I needed something to brighten up my life.

4.) ¦(BECOME LIGHTER/BRIGHTER)¦

to shine more strongly, or become brighter in colour

▪ The stage lights brightened to reveal a street scene.

5.) ¦(BECOME SUNNY)¦ [I]

[i]also brighten up

if the weather brightens, the sun begins to shine and it becomes lighter

▪ The sky brightened after lunch.

▪ Let's hope the weather brightens up later.

▪ It brightened up a bit in the afternoon.

6.) ¦(BECOME HAPPY)¦

[i]also brighten up

to become happier or more excited

▪ His eyes brightened when we started talking about money.

▪ She brightened up a bit when she saw us.