Word: bright Part of Speech: adj Etymology: The adjective is from Middle English bright, from Old English berht, beorht, bryht, byrht, from Proto-West Germanic *berht, from Proto-Germanic *berhtaz (“bright”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerHǵ- (“to gleam, shine, whiten”). The noun is derived from Middle English bright (“brightness, brilliance; daylight; light”), from bright (adjective): see above. Cognates Cognate with Scots bricht (“bright”), Danish bjært (“bright”), Faroese and Icelandic bjartur (“bright”), Norwegian Nynorsk bjart (“bright”), Swedish bjärt (“bright”), Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌷𐍄𐍃 (bairhts, “bright, clear; evident”); also Welsh berth (“beautiful, fair, fine”), Albanian bardhë (“white”), Lithuanian brėkšti (“to dawn”), Polish brzeżdżyć (“to dawn”), Russian бре́зжить (brézžitʹ, “to dawn”), Persian برازیدن (barâzidan, “to beautify; to befit”). Pronunciation: /ˈbɹaɪ̯t/, [ˈbɹʷaɪ̯t], /ˈbɹɐɪ̯t/, [ˈbɹʷɐɪ̯t], /ˈbɹʌɪ̯t/ 1. Emitting much light; visually dazzling; luminous, lucent, radiant. Example: The sky was remarkably bright and blue on that beautiful summer day. Example: Where the bright Seraphim in burning row / Their loud up-lifted Angel trumpets blow; / And the Cherubick hoſt in thouſand quires / Touch their immortal Harps of golden wires, […] 2. Of light: brilliant, intense. Example: Could you please dim the light? It’s far too bright. 3. Of an object, surface, etc.: reflecting much light; having a high lustre; gleaming, shiny. 4. Of a place: not dark; well-lit. Example: It was said that the Irish whom [Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of] Feversham had let loose were marching on London and massacring every man, woman, and child on the road. At one in the morning the drums of the militia beat to arms. […] Before two the capital wore a face of stern preparedness which might well have daunted a real enemy, if such an enemy had been approaching. Candles were blazing at all the windows. The public places were as bright as at noonday. 5. 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. Example: [H]e felt the influence of the bright sky, and looked up smiling into its deep unfathomable blue. Example: Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers. 6. Clearly apparent; conspicuous. Labels: figuratively Example: They gathered soberly in the farthest recess of the ward and gossiped about him in malicious, offended undertones, rebelling against his presence as a ghastly imposition and resenting him malevolently for the nauseating truth of which he was bright reminder. 7. Of a colour: not muted or pale; bold, brilliant, vivid. Labels: figuratively Example: Her step was quick; her eye piercing, and of the brightest blue; […] 8. Of an object, surface, etc.: having vivid colour(s); colourful. Labels: figuratively Example: The orange and blue walls of the sitting room were much brighter than the dull grey walls of the kitchen. Example: Here the bright crocus and blue vi'let glow; / Here weſtern winds on breathing roſes blow. 9. Of a musical instrument, sound, or a voice: clearly audible; clear, resounding, and often high-pitched. Labels: figuratively 10. Of a room or other place: having acoustic qualities that tend to cause much echoing or reverberation of sound, particularly at high frequencies. Labels: figuratively 11. Of a scent or taste: having an agreeable balance of sweet and sour, often with associations of coolness, freshness, and sometimes aromaticity. Labels: figuratively 12. Of a scent or taste: not bland or mild; bold, sharp, strong. Labels: figuratively 13. Of a substance: clear, transparent; also, pure, unadulterated; (specifically) of wine: free of suspended particles; not cloudy; fine. Labels: figuratively Example: From […] the brighteſt Wines / He'd turn abhorrent. 14. Glorious; illustrious. Labels: figuratively Example: And 'twas the worſt, if not the only ſtain, / I'th' brighteſt Annals of a Female Reign. 15. In good spirits; happy, optimistic. Labels: figuratively Example: I woke up today feeling so bright that I decided to have a little dance. Example: Their spirits had risen a little at the discovery of the path, but now they sank into their boots; and yet they would not give it up and go away. The hobbit [Bilbo Baggins] was no longer much brighter than the dwarves. He would do nothing but sit with his back to the rock-face and stare[…]. 16. Of the face or eyes, or a smile: showing happiness or hopefulness; cheerful, lively. Labels: figuratively Example: 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 17. Of a person: lively, vivacious. Labels: figuratively Example: Come on: / Gentle my Lord, ſleeke o're your rugged Lookes, / Be bright and Iouiall among your Gueſts to Night. 18. Of a period of history or time: happy, prosperous, successful. Labels: figuratively Example: She has a bright future ahead. Example: Yesterday / Was a nicer day / Will we ever find / That time? / Yesterday / Was a brighter day / Could it ever be / That way? 19. Of an opportunity or outlook: having a reasonable chance of success; favourable, good. Labels: figuratively Example: If he trains hard, his chances of winning the competition are bright. 20. Of conversation, writing, etc.: imaginative or sparkling with wit; clever, witty. Labels: figuratively 21. Having a clear, quick intellect; intelligent. Labels: figuratively Example: She’s very bright. She was able to solve the problem without my help. Example: ―Ah, God, Corley replied, sure I couldn't teach in a school, man. I was never one of your bright ones, he added with a half laugh, Got stuck twice in the junior at the Christian Brothers. 22. Of the eyes: able to see clearly; of eyesight: keen, sharp. Labels: archaic, figuratively 23. Manifest to the mind as light is to the eyes; clear, evident, plain. Labels: archaic, figuratively Example: [T]he Queriſt muſt not proceed too ſwiftly towards the Determination of his Point propos'd, that he may with more Eaſe, with brighter Evidence, and with ſurer Succeſs draw the Learner on to aſſent to thoſe Principles ſtep by ſtep, from whence the final Concluſion will naturally ariſe. 24. Of a rhythm or tempo: lively, upbeat. Labels: figuratively 25. Of a note: slightly sharp. Labels: figuratively 26. Of a metal object or surface: lacking any protective coating or surface treatment for the prevention of corrosion.