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brighten

verb
🔊/ˈbraɪtn/
🔊/ˈbraɪtn/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they brighten
🔊/ˈbraɪtn/
🔊/ˈbraɪtn/
he / she / it brightens
🔊/ˈbraɪtnz/
🔊/ˈbraɪtnz/
past simple brightened
🔊/ˈbraɪtnd/
🔊/ˈbraɪtnd/
past participle brightened
🔊/ˈbraɪtnd/
🔊/ˈbraɪtnd/
-ing form brightening
🔊/ˈbraɪtnɪŋ/
🔊/ˈbraɪtnɪŋ/
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  1. [intransitive, transitive] to become or make something lighter or brighter in colour（使）明亮，色彩鲜艳
    • In the distance, the sky was beginning to brighten.远方的天空开始泛白。🔊🔊
    • brighten something a shampoo to brighten and condition your hair有亮泽兼护发效果的洗发剂
    • The morning sunshine brightened the room.早晨的阳光照亮了房间。
    Topics Colours and Shapesc1
  2. [intransitive, transitive] to become, feel or look happier; to make somebody look happier（使）快活起来
    • Her eyes brightened.她的眼睛亮了起来。🔊🔊
    • brighten up He brightened up at their words of encouragement.听到他们鼓励的话，他高兴起来。🔊🔊
    • brighten something (up) A smile brightened her face.她的脸上露出了灿烂的笑容。🔊🔊
    Extra Examples
    • She brightened up a little at the thought of the cruise.一想到要乘船游览，她脸上便露出一丝喜色。
    • Their rather heavy faces brightened visibly.他们表情凝重的脸上显然露出了喜色。
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • considerably
    • a little
    • slightly
    • …
    See full entry
  3. [transitive, intransitive] brighten (something) (up) to become or make something become more pleasant; to bring hope（使）增添乐趣，有希望
    • A personal letter will usually brighten up a person's day.一封私人来信往往就能使人一天心情愉快。🔊🔊
  4. [transitive] brighten something (up) to make something look more brightly coloured and attractive使更艳丽；使更美丽
    • Fresh flowers will brighten up any room in the house.鲜花会使屋里的任何房间都亮丽生色。🔊🔊
  5. [intransitive] brighten (up) (of the weather天气) to improve and become brighter放晴
    • According to the forecast, it should brighten up later.根据天气预报，晚一点天应该会转晴。🔊🔊
    6. Word OriginOld English (ge)beorhtnian.