bright

/ˈbɹaɪ̯t/

adjective 26
noun 5
adverb 3
verb 3
forms 10
phrases 9

adjective26

•
shining with so much light that it can be hard to look at
- The sky was remarkably bright and blue on that beautiful summer day.
•
Of light: brilliant, intense.
- Could you please dim the light? It’s far too bright.
Of an object, surface, etc.: reflecting much light; having a high lustre; gleaming, shiny.
Of a place: not dark; well-lit.
•
Of climate or weather: not cloudy or gloomy; fair; also, of a period of time, the sky, etc.: characterized by much sunshine and good weather.
- [H]e felt the influence of the bright sky, and looked up smiling into its deep unfathomable blue. — 1841
(figurative) Of conversation, writing, etc.: imaginative or sparkling with wit; clever, witty.
•
(figurative) Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent.
- She’s very bright. She was able to solve the problem without my help.
•
(figurative) Of a period of history or time: happy, prosperous, successful.
- She has a bright future ahead.
•
(figurative) Of an opportunity or outlook: having a reasonable chance of success; favourable, good.
- If he trains hard, his chances of winning the competition are bright.
•
Of a colour: not muted or pale; bold, brilliant, vivid.
- Her step was quick; her eye piercing, and of the brightest blue; […] — 1838
•
Of an object, surface, etc.: having vivid colour(s); colourful.
- The orange and blue walls of the sitting room were much brighter than the dull grey walls of the kitchen.
•
(figurative) In good spirits; happy, optimistic.
- I woke up today feeling so bright that I decided to have a little dance.
•
(figurative) Of the face or eyes, or a smile: showing happiness or hopefulness; cheerful, lively.
- Bright eyes / Burning like fire / Bright eyes / How can you close and fail? / How can the light that burned so brightly / Suddenly burn so pale? / Bright eyes — 1978
•
(figurative) Of a person: lively, vivacious.
- Come on: / Gentle my Lord, sleeke o're your rugged Lookes, / Be bright and Iouiall among your Guests to Night. — 1606
(figurative) Of a rhythm or tempo: lively, upbeat.
(figurative) Of a musical instrument, sound, or a voice: clearly audible; clear, resounding, and often high-pitched.
(figurative) Of a room or other place: having acoustic qualities that tend to cause much echoing or reverberation of sound, particularly at high frequencies.
(figurative) Clearly apparent; conspicuous.
•
(figurative) Glorious; illustrious.
- And 'twas the worst, if not the only stain, / I'th' brightest Annals of a Female Reign. — 1681
(figurative) Of a scent or taste: having an agreeable balance of sweet and sour, often with associations of coolness, freshness, and sometimes aromaticity.
(figurative) Of a scent or taste: not bland or mild; bold, sharp, strong.
•
(figurative) Of a substance: clear, transparent; also, pure, unadulterated; (specifically) of wine: free of suspended particles; not cloudy; fine.
- From […] the brightest Wines / He'd turn abhorrent. — 1728
Of a metal object or surface: lacking any protective coating or surface treatment for the prevention of corrosion.
(figurative) Of a note: slightly sharp.
(figurative, no longer used) Manifest to the mind as light is to the eyes; clear, evident, plain.
(figurative, no longer used) Of the eyes: able to see clearly; of eyesight: keen, sharp.

noun5

[in the plural] Something (especially a product intended for sale) that has vivid colours or a lustrous appearance.
A person with a naturalistic worldview with no mystical or supernatural elements.
An artist's brush used in acrylic and oil painting with a long ferrule and a flat, somewhat tapering bristle head.
(literary, no longer used) Brightness, glow.
(figurative, no longer used) Glory, splendour.

adverb3

Referring to colour: with bold or vivid colours; brightly, boldly, vividly.
(literary) In a bright manner; brightly, glowingly, luminously, lustrously.
(figurative, no longer used) Referring to sight, sound, understanding, etc.: clearly, distinctly; brightly.

verb3

(dialect, UK) Often followed by up: to cast light on (someone or something); to brighten, to illuminate.
•
(dialect, figurative) Often followed by up: to cause (someone or something) to be bright (in various senses); to brighten; specifically, to make (someone or something) energetic, or happy and optimistic.
- Toward Mid-day he [the Sun] brighteth the Air into a chearful Saphir, and guildeth the Borders of the very Clouds with a costly limbus. — 1686
•
(dialect, UK) Often followed by up: to become bright (in various senses); to brighten.
- Day brighteth at the smile o' her and yea, He hath aplanted full o' seed for harvesting by thy loving. — 1915

forms

brighted · brightedst · brighting · brighteth · brights · brightest · brighter · more bright · brightest · most bright

Phrases with bright