bright

views updated Jun 08 2018

bright / brīt/ • adj. 1. giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining: I have problems seeing when the sun is bright her bright, dark eyes. ∎  full of light: the rooms are bright and spacious. ∎  (of a period of time) having sunny, cloudless weather: the long, bright days of June. ∎  having a vivid color: the bright flowers a bright tie. ∎  (of color) vivid and bold: the bright green leaves. 2. (of sound) clear, vibrant, and typically high-pitched: her voice is fresh and bright. 3. (of a person, idea, or remark) intelligent and quick-witted: a bright young journalist a suggestion box for bright ideas. 4. giving an appearance of cheerful liveliness: she gave a bright smile. ∎  (of someone's future) likely to be successful and happy: the bright prospects for her early retirement.• adv. luminously: a full moon shining bright.• n. (brights) 1. bold and vivid colors: gloves in neon brights. 2. headlights switched to high beam: he turned the brights on, and we drove along the dirt road.PHRASES: bright and early very early in the morning.look on the bright side be optimistic or cheerful in spite of difficulties.DERIVATIVES: bright·ish adj.bright·ly adv.bright·ness n.

bright

views updated Jun 08 2018

bright bright-eyed and bushy tailed alert and lively, eager; the image is of an animal in good health and spirits.
bright young thing an enthusiastic, ambitious, and self-consciously fashionable young person, a term originally applied in the 1920s to a member of a young fashionable set noted for exuberant and outrageous behaviour.

bright

views updated May 17 2018

bright OE. beorht, Anglian berht, late Nhb. breht = OS. ber(a)ht. OHG. beraht, -eht, ON. bjartr, Goth. bairhts :- Gmc. *berχtaz, f. IE. *bhereg-, repr. also by Skt. bhrājate shine, Lith. brėkśta dawns, W. berth beautiful.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

bright

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like