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Synonyms

sunshine

American  
[suhn-shahyn] / ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn /

noun

  1. the shining of the sun; direct light of the sun.

  2. brightness or radiance; cheerfulness or happiness.

  3. a source of cheer or happiness.

  4. the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.

  5. a place where the direct rays of the sun fall.

adjective

  1. of or relating to sunshine laws.

    sunshine rules.

  2. fair-weather.

sunshine British  
/ ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn /

noun

  1. the light received directly from the sun

  2. the warmth from the sun

  3. a sunny area

  4. a light-hearted or ironic term of address

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • sunshineless adjective
  • sunshiny adjective

Etymology

Origin of sunshine

1200–50; Middle English sunnesin; sun, shine 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Visit West Hollywood – Head out to West Hollywood for a different pace: sunshine, good wandering, and a little scene-y energy.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is nearly here and our team is already preparing for a weekend full of sunshine, music and Beliebers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Oliver saw another little girl playing outside the hospital in the sunshine earlier this month and told his mum he wanted to go outside.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

"With these costs, I'm going to have to ask for more money from customers" for the ride, said Marcel, amid the habitual din of engines and horns blaring in the Kinshasa sunshine.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

I had to admit it felt great to be in the warm sunshine, not hiding by myself in the library.

From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.