| v. t. | 1. | To make bright or brighter; to make to shine; to increase the luster of; to give a brighter hue to. |
| 2. | To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to. | |
| 3. | To improve or relieve by dispelling gloom or removing that which obscures and darkens; to shed light upon; to make cheerful; | |
| 4. | To make acute or witty; to enliven. | |
| v. i. | 1. | To grow bright, or more bright; to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful. |
| Verb | 1. | brighten - make lighter or brighter; "The paint will brighten the room" Synonyms: lighten up, lighten Antonyms: darken - make dark or darker; "darken a room" |
| 2. | brighten - become clear; "The sky cleared after the storm" | |
| 3. | brighten - become brighter; "The sky brightened around noon"; "Her face brightened when she heard the good news" | |
| 4. | brighten - become brighter; "The sky brightened" Synonyms: lighten Antonyms: darken - become dark or darker; "The sky darkened" |