brightener

American  

[brahyt-n-er] / ˈbraɪt n ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that brightens.

2. a chemical or other agent used to increase brightness, as one added to toothpaste or detergent to intensify the cleansing or bleaching process.

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Etymology

Origin of brightener

First recorded in 1790–1800; brighten + -er ¹

Example Sentences

These days, I'm a laundry product minimalist, relying on just my regular detergent and an oxygen brightener.

From Salon • Jul. 8, 2022

Deck cleaners can darken the wood, so some contractors use a wood brightener to restore the natural appearance before staining.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2021

A brightener around the eyes can also help, and be sure to use one of the newfangled no-smudge mascaras that are made out of congealing tubes and therefore don’t flake or run.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2019

The wood cleaner is caustic, and the brightener is acidic, so using one and then the other neutralizes the wood after it is cleaned.

From Washington Post • Nov. 18, 2016

"Little friend Ch'geegee" is what it means; for the Indians, like everybody else who knows Chickadee, are fond of this cheery little brightener of the northern woods.

From Ways of Wood Folk by Copeland, Charles