Brightening - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Brightening means becoming lighter or more radiant, often referring to light, color, or mood. It can describe the sky at dawn, a smile that grows happier, or a room illuminated by lamps.
Definition:
Making or becoming lighter, more cheerful, or more radiant.
Synonyms:
Illuminating, lightening, cheering, enhancing, uplifting
Part of Speech:
Noun, verb (present participle)
Antonyms:
Darkening, dimming, dulling
Common Collocations:
Brightening effect, brightening cream, brightening smile, brightening prospects
Derivatives:
Brighten (verb), brightener (noun)
Usage Tips:
Use "brightening" to describe light increasing or moods improving; often paired with nouns like "sky" or "expression."
Common Phrases:
Brightening up the day, brightening someone’s mood, brightening the room
Etymology:
Derived from Old English "beorht," meaning "bright," combined with "-en," a verb-forming suffix indicating causation.
Examples:
- 1. The sun is brightening the sky this morning.
- 2. Her smile had a brightening effect on everyone around her.
- 3. This cream claims to have skin-brightening properties.
- 4. The weather forecast predicts brightening skies by afternoon.