Giving a lot of light or color; also used to mean intelligent or cheerful.
From Old English “beorht,” meaning “shining, clear,” related to German “bright.” The mental and emotional senses grew from the physical idea of shining light.
Calling someone “bright” is a hidden metaphor: their mind shines like light in a dark room. The same word that describes a sunny day now describes a sharp brain and even a hopeful future.
Descriptions like “bright” have been applied unevenly across genders, with girls and women historically praised for being “bright” in a diminutive or surprised tone compared to men. In some eras, women’s intellectual achievements were downplayed even when they were recognized as bright.
Use “bright” consistently across genders and be specific about the domain (e.g., “bright mathematician”) to avoid patronizing overtones. Avoid using it only for appearance when referring to women or girls unless clearly context-appropriate.
["intelligent","insightful","quick-thinking","talented"]
Many women described as merely “bright” were in fact major contributors in science, arts, and politics whose work was minimized or attributed to men.
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