shine

1 of 2

verb

ˈshīn 

shone ˈshōn 

especially Canadian and British

ˈshän  or shined; shining

intransitive verb

1

: to emit rays of light

2

: to be bright by reflection of light

3

a

: to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished

shines in math

b

: to perform extremely well

when will stocks really shine again?

—Temma Ehrenfeld

4

: to have a bright glowing appearance

his face shone with enthusiasm

5

: to be conspicuously evident or clear

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to emit light

b

: to throw or direct the light of

2

past tense and past participle shined : to make bright by polishing

shined his shoes

shine

2 of 2

noun

1

: brightness caused by the emission of light

2

: brightness caused by the reflection of light : luster

the shine of polished silver

3

: brilliance, splendor

still has a shine about her

4

: fair weather : sunshine

rain or shine

5

: trick, caper

—usually used in plural

6

: liking, fancy

took a shine to him

7

a

: a polish or gloss given to shoes

b

: a single polishing of a pair of shoes

Synonyms

Verb

• beam
• radiate
• ray

Noun

• burnish
• gloss
• luminance
• luster
• lustre
• polish
• sheen

Examples of shine in a Sentence

Verb

The sun was shining through the clouds.

lamps shining from the windows

She found a sport where she can really shine.

Noun

the shine of polished silver

He had a nice shine on his shoes.

Would you like a shine?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Next to the salty, buttery walnuts, the batter really shined. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2025

What her ex-husband said about their Miami experience January 09, 2025 9:42 PM Bryant’s campaign shone a spotlight on Miami and served as the model for anti-gay rights activists who organized around the country. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025

Noun

Lastly, rely on a featherweight veil of setting powder strategically placed to the T-zone and oily areas to control excess shine then mist on a dose of setting spray. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025

The glimmers of shine and sparkle fits in with the uptick of dressier denim silhouettes. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English scīnan; akin to Old High German skīnan to shine and perhaps to Greek skia shadow

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shine

• come rain or (come) shine
• rain or shine
• rise and shine
• shine through
• take a shine to

Kids Definition

shine

1 of 2 verb

ˈshīn 

shone ˈshōn  or shined; shining

1

: to give light

the stars shone brightly

2

: to be glossy : gleam

polished the buttons until they shone like gold

3

: to be outstanding : show talent

on stage where I could really shine

4

: to cause to give light

shine a flashlight

5

: to make bright by polishing

shined my shoes

shine

2 of 2 noun

1

: brightness from light given off or reflected

2

: fair weather : sunshine

rain or shine

3

: liking, fancy

took a shine to them

4

: a polish given to shoes