4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A bright idea is clever and original. □ Ford had the bright idea of paying workers enough to buy cars.
5 ADJ If someone looks or sounds bright , they look or sound cheerful and lively. □ The boy was so bright and animated. □ 'May I help you?' said a bright American voice over the telephone. ● bright|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He smiled brightly as Ben approached.
6 ADJ If the future is bright , it is likely to be pleasant or successful. □ Both had successful careers and the future looked bright. □ There are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.
7 PHRASE If you look on the bright side , you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been.
bright|en /bra I t ə n/ (brightens , brightening , brightened )
1 VERB If someone brightens or their face brightens , they suddenly look happier. □ [V ] Seeing him, she seemed to brighten a little. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P ] He brightened up a bit.
2 VERB If your eyes brighten , you suddenly look interested or excited. □ [V ] His eyes brightened and he laughed. □ [V + with ] Her tearful eyes brightened with interest.
3 VERB If someone or something brightens a place, they make it more colourful and attractive. □ [V n] Tubs planted with wallflowers brightened the area outside the door. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P n] David spotted the pink silk lampshade in a shop and thought it would brighten up the room. [Also V n P ]
4 VERB If someone or something brightens a situation or the situation brightens , it becomes more pleasant, enjoyable, or favourable. □ [V n] That does not do much to brighten the prospects of kids in the city. □ [V ] It is undeniable that the economic picture is brightening. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P n] His cheerful face brightens up the dullest of days. [Also V P ]
5 VERB When a light brightens a place or when a place brightens , it becomes brighter or lighter. □ [V ] The sky above the ridge of mountains brightened. □ [V n] The late afternoon sun brightened the interior of the church.
6 VERB If the weather brightens , it becomes less cloudy or rainy, and the sun starts to shine. □ [V ] By early afternoon the weather had brightened. ● PHRASAL VERB Brighten up means the same as brighten . □ [V P ] Hopefully it will brighten up, or we'll be coming back early.
▸ brighten up → see brighten 3 , brighten 4 , brighten 6
bri ght li ghts N‑PLURAL If someone talks about the bright lights , they are referring to life in a big city where you can do a lot of enjoyable and exciting things and be successful. □ [+ of ] The bright lights of Hollywood beckon many.
bri ght spark (bright sparks ) N‑COUNT If you say that some bright spark had a particular idea or did something, you mean that their idea or action was clever, or that it seemed clever but was silly in some way. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ 'Why not give out one of the cybercafe's email addresses?' suggested one bright spark. □ Some bright spark turned the heating off last night!
brill /br I l/ ADJ If you say that something is brill , you are very pleased about it or think that it is very good. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ What a brill idea!
bril|liant ◆◇◇ /br I liənt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A brilliant person, idea, or performance is extremely clever or skilful. □ She had a brilliant mind. □ Her brilliant performance had earned her two Golden Globes. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ It is a very high quality production, brilliantly written and acted. ● bril|liance N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ He was a deeply serious musician who had shown his brilliance very early.
2 ADJ You can say that something is brilliant when you are very pleased about it or think that it is very good. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ If you get a chance to see the show, do go–it's brilliant. □ My sister's given me this brilliant book. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ It's extremely hard working together but on the whole it works brilliantly.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A brilliant career or success is very successful. □ He served four years in prison, emerging to find his brilliant career in ruins. □ The raid was a brilliant success. ● bril|liant|ly ADV □ The strategy worked brilliantly.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] A brilliant colour is extremely bright. □ …a brilliant white open-necked shirt. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ Many of the patterns show brilliantly coloured flowers. ● bril|liance N‑UNCOUNT □ …an iridescent blue butterfly in all its brilliance.
5 ADJ You describe light, or something that reflects light, as brilliant when it shines very brightly. □ The event was held in brilliant sunshine. ● bril|liant|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v] □ It's a brilliantly sunny morning. ● bril|liance N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] His eyes became accustomed to the dark after the brilliance of the sun outside. SYNONYMS brilliant ADJ
1
intelligent: …lively and intelligent conversation.