bright
♦♦ bright /br'aɪt/ (brighter brightest)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n, ADJ colour
A bright colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark.
...a bright red dress.
...the bright uniforms of the guards parading at Buckingham Palace.
● brightly [ADV]
...a display of brightly coloured flowers.
● brightness [N-UNCOUNT] oft the N of n
You'll be impressed with the brightness and the beauty of the colors.
2 [ADJ]
A bright light, object, or place is shining strongly or is full of light.
...a bright October day...
She leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement.
≠ dull
● brightly [ADV] ADV with v
...a warm, brightly lit room...
The sun shone brightly.
● brightness [N-UNCOUNT] oft the N of n
An astronomer can determine the brightness of each star.
3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If you describe someone as bright, you mean that they are quick at learning things.
I was convinced that he was brighter than average.
= clever
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A bright idea is clever and original.
Ford had the bright idea of paying workers enough to buy cars.
= clever
5 [ADJ]
If someone looks or sounds bright, they look or sound cheerful and lively.
The boy was so bright and animated...
`May I help you?' said a bright American voice over the telephone.
= cheerful, lively
● brightly [ADV] ADV with v
He smiled brightly as Ben approached.
6 [ADJ]
If the future is bright, it is likely to be pleasant or successful.
Both had successful careers and the future looked bright...
There are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.
= promising
≠ bleak
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you look on the bright side, you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been.bright lights
[N-PLURAL] the N
If someone talks about the bright lights, they are referring to life in a big city where you can do a lot of enjoyable and exciting things and be successful.
The bright lights of Hollywood beckon many.bright spark (bright sparks)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that some bright spark had a particular idea or did something, you mean that their idea or action was clever, or that it seemed clever but was silly in some way. (BRIT INFORMAL)
`Why not give out one of the cybercafe's e-mail addresses?' suggested one bright spark...
Some bright spark turned the heating off last night!
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n, ADJ colour
A bright colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark.
...a bright red dress.
...the bright uniforms of the guards parading at Buckingham Palace.
● brightly [ADV]
...a display of brightly coloured flowers.
● brightness [N-UNCOUNT] oft the N of n
You'll be impressed with the brightness and the beauty of the colors.
2 [ADJ]
A bright light, object, or place is shining strongly or is full of light.
...a bright October day...
She leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement.
≠ dull
● brightly [ADV] ADV with v
...a warm, brightly lit room...
The sun shone brightly.
● brightness [N-UNCOUNT] oft the N of n
An astronomer can determine the brightness of each star.
3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
If you describe someone as bright, you mean that they are quick at learning things.
I was convinced that he was brighter than average.
= clever
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A bright idea is clever and original.
Ford had the bright idea of paying workers enough to buy cars.
= clever
5 [ADJ]
If someone looks or sounds bright, they look or sound cheerful and lively.
The boy was so bright and animated...
`May I help you?' said a bright American voice over the telephone.
= cheerful, lively
● brightly [ADV] ADV with v
He smiled brightly as Ben approached.
6 [ADJ]
If the future is bright, it is likely to be pleasant or successful.
Both had successful careers and the future looked bright...
There are much brighter prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.
= promising
≠ bleak
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you look on the bright side, you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been.bright lights
[N-PLURAL] the N
If someone talks about the bright lights, they are referring to life in a big city where you can do a lot of enjoyable and exciting things and be successful.
The bright lights of Hollywood beckon many.bright spark (bright sparks)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that some bright spark had a particular idea or did something, you mean that their idea or action was clever, or that it seemed clever but was silly in some way. (BRIT INFORMAL)
`Why not give out one of the cybercafe's e-mail addresses?' suggested one bright spark...
Some bright spark turned the heating off last night!