moonshine

American  

[moon-shahyn] / ˈmunˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. Informal. smuggled or illicitly distilled liquor, especially corn liquor as illicitly distilled chiefly in rural areas of the southern U.S.

2. empty or foolish talk, ideas, etc.; nonsense.

3. the light of the moon; moonlight.

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moonshine British  

/ ˈmuːnˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. another word for moonlight

2. illegally distilled or smuggled whisky or other spirit

3. foolish talk or thought

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Etymology

Origin of moonshine

1375–1425; late Middle English: moonlight. See moon, shine ¹,

Explanation

Moonshine is the glowing light that comes from the moon, and it's also a common term meaning "homemade liquor." In an old-timey bluegrass song, a character might drink moonshine in the moonshine. While moonshine can simply be a synonym for moonlight, it's often used as slang for bootleg (or illicit) whiskey, as well as a colorful way to say "nonsense." For example, you could say, "I listened to her speech, but I finally decided everything she said was nothing but moonshine." This "without substance" meaning is actually the oldest figurative definition of moonshine, dating from the fifteenth century.

Example Sentences

The rest of the company’s dreams are more moonshine than moon landings.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

In math, Ono is known for his work on a range of topics across number theory, from Ramanujan’s congruences to the umbral moonshine conjecture.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

The parallels with early 20th century Prohibition in America – gangsters, feminists, minorities, corruption, doctor’s notes, speakeasies and moonshine – are strikingly similar.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2025

In addition to setting up a season-long whodunit around the singer’s death by poisoned moonshine, Pinnock says those flashbacks gave her a visceral understanding of her flamboyant character, who lived for the applause from spectators.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2023

Their eyes so intent on the wayward stranger who trips into their net, they were blind to the cobalt on their own backs, the moonshine fighting to pierce their comers.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison