bright 1 of 2

adjective

ˈbrīt How to pronounce bright (audio)
Definition of brightnext
1
as in shining
giving off or reflecting much light in the desert the sun was so bright that it hurt my eyes the moon is bright tonight

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2
as in illuminated
filled with much light the display windows of department stores are especially bright at Christmastime

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3
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition always walks into work with a bright smile on his face

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4
as in intelligent
having or showing quickness of mind a company that is always looking for bright, ambitious college graduates

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5
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope predicted a bright future for the young math whiz

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6
as in favorable
pointing toward a happy outcome all the signs are bright right now for an economic boom

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7
as in cheering
serving to lift one's spirits a bright and beautiful morning to begin planting our garden

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8
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement a bright new star on the operatic scene

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9
as in radiant
having or being an outward sign of good feelings (as of love, confidence, or happiness) a room full of summer interns with bright, eager faces

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10
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy we'll have a picnic on the next bright day

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bright

2 of 2

adverb

as in brightly
in a manner marked by the shining or reflecting of much light the storm passed, and once again the sun shone bright

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For
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bright colors
vivid colors
vibrant colors
brilliant colors
bold colors
loud colors
a bright day
a sunny day
a clear day
a brilliant day
a dazzling day
a sunshiny day
a bright future
a good future
a hopeful future
a brilliant future
a vibrant future
a sunny future
bright students
smart students
intelligent students
sharp students
brilliant students
brainy students

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective bright differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of bright are brilliant, luminous, lustrous, and radiant. While all these words mean "shining or glowing with light," bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

When is brilliant a more appropriate choice than bright?

While the synonyms brilliant and bright are close in meaning, brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

In what contexts can luminous take the place of bright?

While in some cases nearly identical to bright, luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

When would lustrous be a good substitute for bright?

The meanings of lustrous and bright largely overlap; however, lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

When might radiant be a better fit than bright?

Although the words radiant and bright have much in common, radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bright
Adjective
Jana walked to the backyard, past Stephan’s burned and toppled basketball hoop, toward the pool, stepping over a strip of artificial grass, so green and bright, as if the fire had skipped over it, leaving a slender memory of what was. — Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025 And no, we’re not freaked out by their bright pink hue. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025 On an even brighter note, the foundation is enhanced with SPF 30. — Jenny Berg, Allure, 8 Mar. 2025 Scroll below for the brightest of celebrity beauty this week, and head to the app to vote for your favorite. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bright
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bright
  1. shining
  2. cheerful
  3. intelligent
  4. promising
  5. favorable
  6. outstanding
  7. radiant
  8. sunny
Adjective
  • Sure, the Currys should get another stab at it on Monday, when the Warriors make their annual trek to Charlotte and Steph Curry’s yearly shining moment in uptown takes place.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Ben Franklin, with his range of knowledge from political science to publishing to ocean currents, is another shining example.
    — Joe McKendrick, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Definition of shining
Adjective
  • Washington earlier this month abruptly suspended military aid to Ukraine following a heated exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, just hours after the cheerful TSMC ceremony.
    — Wayne Chang, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Plus, their cheerful blooms and tall stems ensure these flowers will be a striking addition to any landscape.
    — Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • People have been dreaming about intelligent humanoid robots since the introduction of the beloved family maid Rosey on The Jetsons in the early 1960s.
    — Jim McGregor, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond being intelligent, ethical, musically talented, and dedicated; Emily is a true arts-passionate individual.
    — Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • His promising early baseball career took a back seat in 1943 when he was taken into the Navy and served as a radio operator on the USS Coral Sea during World War II.
    — Daniel Brown, The Athletic, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The fourth-round draft pick had a promising rookie season in 2024, even after sustaining a scary neck injury in late November.
    — Alex Zietlow and, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • That may imply Ukrainian brigades are leaving Kursk, and giving up much of the terrain Zelensky hoped to trade back to Russia in exchange for a favorable ceasefire.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to this, negotiations about money, financial support, loans, taxes and mortgages will be favorable.
    — Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • In addition to the ensemble prize, Short also won outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series.
    — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Densmore also had three outstanding warrants out of Illinois.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of outstanding
Adjective
  • Anchoring this open-air space are ginkgo trees, whose leaves emerge in silent increments each spring, then blaze into a radiant yellow spectacle come fall.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Powered by chebula—one of the most potent antioxidants in skin care—this serum fights fine lines, dryness, and environmental stressors, helping your skin stay resilient and radiant.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of radiant
Adjective
  • Most avalanche accidents happen on the first sunny day after a storm when people get antsy and disregard red flags.
    — Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Forecasters predict a sunny day on Tuesday before more rain settles into parts of the region Wednesday.
    — Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of sunny

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Cite this Entry

“Bright.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bright. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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