How to pronounce brighten
Say it like BRY-tun. Brighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce brighten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BRY
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Brighten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BRYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of brighten
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: BRY-tun.
What does brighten mean?
- To make bright or brighter in color.“We brightened the room with a new coat of paint.”
- To make illustrious, or more distinguished; to add luster or splendor to
- To make more cheerful and pleasant; to enliven“to brighten one’s prospects”
Where does brighten come from?
From bright + -en.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with brighten
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of brighten.
Questions about saying brighten
How do you pronounce brighten?
Say BRY-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈbraɪtən/. In British English it is /ˈbraɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in brighten?
Brighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BRY). Broken into parts: BRY · tun.
Is brighten pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈbraɪtən/ (BRY-tun).