Definition of "brighten" []

• To make or become bright or brighter. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Cretak allowed her expression to brighten, as if with great relief."
• "Proponents urge us to "brighten" clouds by spraying up droplets of sea water, as scientists are now trying to do with a little help from Bill Gates."
• "I like lime wedge or even a cucumber slice in my water ... do you have any favorite ways to 'brighten' a plain glass of water?"