What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brighten
Example
She used a white paint color to brighten up the room. [brighten: verb]
Example
The sun's rays brightened the garden, making the flowers look even more beautiful. [brightened: past tense]
lighten
Example
He decided to lighten his workload by delegating some tasks to his team. [lighten: verb]
Example
The artist used a lighter shade of blue to lighten the painting. [lightened: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lighten is more commonly used than brighten in everyday language. Lighten is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while brighten is more specific and less commonly used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between brighten and lighten?
Both brighten and lighten are considered informal and can be used in casual conversations or writing. However, lighten can also be used in more formal contexts when referring to reducing weight or burden.
