shine

¹ American  

[shahyn] / ʃaɪn /

noun

Slang.

1. moonshine.

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shine ² American  

[shahyn] / ʃaɪn /

verb (used without object)

shone, shined, shining

1. to give forth or glow with light; shed or cast light.

   Synonyms:

   shimmer , glimmer

2. to be bright with reflected light; glisten; sparkle.

3. (of light) to appear brightly or strongly, especially uncomfortably so.

   Wear dark glasses so the sun won't shine in your eyes.

4. to be or appear unusually animated or bright, as the eyes or face.

5. to appear with brightness or clearness, as feelings.

6. to excel or be conspicuous.

   to shine in school.

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verb (used with object)

shone, shined, shining

1. to cause to shine.

2. to direct the light of (a lamp, mirror, etc.).

   Shine the flashlight on the steps so I can see.

3. to put a gloss or polish on; polish (as shoes, silverware, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   brighten , burnish , buff

noun

1. radiance or brightness caused by emitted or reflected light.

2. luster; polish.

   Synonyms:

   sheen , glow , gleam , gloss

3. sunshine; fair weather.

4. a polish or gloss given to shoes.

5. an act or instance of polishing shoes.

6. Informal.  a foolish prank; caper.

7. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.  a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person.

verb phrase

1. shine up to

   1. to attempt to impress (a person), especially in order to gain benefits for oneself.

   2. to become especially attentive to (a potential romantic partner).

      Men shine up to her like moths to a light.

idioms

1. take a shine to,  to take a liking or fancy to.

   That little girl has really taken a shine to you.

2. come rain or shine,  Also

   1. regardless of the weather.

   2. no matter what the circumstances may be.

      Come rain or shine, he is always on the job.

shine British  

/ ʃaɪn /

verb

1. (intr) to emit light

2. (intr) to glow or be bright with reflected light

3. (tr) to direct the light of (a lamp, etc)

   he shone the torch in my eyes

4. (tr; past tense and past participle shined) to cause to gleam by polishing

   to shine shoes

5. (intr) to be conspicuously competent; excel

   she shines at tennis

6. (intr) to appear clearly; be conspicuous

   the truth shone out of his words

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noun

1. the state or quality of shining; sheen; lustre

2. 1. whatever the weather

   2. regardless of circumstances

3. informal  short for moonshine

4. informal  a liking or fancy (esp in the phrase take a shine to )

shine More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing shine

• make hay while the sun shines
• rain or shine
• rise and shine
• take a fancy (shine) to

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Related Words

Shine, beam, glare refer to the emitting or reflecting of light. Shine refers to a steady glowing or reflecting of light: to shine in the sun. That which beams gives forth a radiant or bright light: to beam like a star. Glare refers to the shining of a light that is not only bright but so strong as to be unpleasant and dazzling: to glare like a headlight.

Other Word Forms

• unshined adjective

Etymology

Origin of shine¹

First recorded in 1935–40; by shortening

Origin of shine¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb shinen, shinnen, Old English scīnan; cognate with Dutch schijnen, German scheinen, Old Norse skīna, Gothic skeinan

Example Sentences

The magazine’s mission was to shine a light on the disease to humanize and restore dignity to its sufferers.

From Salon

In this masterwork, as in “The Invention of Love” and “The Real Thing,” Mr. Stoppard’s literary brilliance shone mightily, but the restrained yet fathoms-deep feeling that animated his finest writing took precedence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most of the protagonists are women, brought to life through Alvarez’s taut, shining sentences.

From Los Angeles Times

"The match preparation was very emotional. We knew the context, with Antonine's return, given how brightly he shines in French rugby," said Lebel.

From Barron's

“In tough times, on the difficult paths, on the challenging crossroads, shines the spiritual light of the warrior who knows how to fight and win,” Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega said in a letter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• beam
• blink
• burn
• dazzle
• flash
• flicker
• glare
• gleam
• glisten
• glitter
• glow
• illuminate
• radiate
• shimmer
• sparkle
• twinkle