shine

¹

[shahyn]

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.

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.

shine

²

[shahyn]

noun

Slang.

1. moonshine.

shine

/ 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

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 )

Other Word Forms

• unshined adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Origin of shine²

First recorded in 1935–40; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of shine¹

Old English scīnan; related to Old Norse skīna, Gothic skeinan, Old High German scīnan to shine, Greek skia shadow

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing shine

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

"We can't wait for the national and international music spotlight to shine on our fantastic city, showcasing our burgeoning music industry, hugely talented musicians and amazing venues," she said.

From BBC

However, she said she would not "shy away" from difficult conversations because the government would make better decisions "when we reflect the views of our broad movement and when our values shine through".

From BBC

This isn’t about flashy sauces or rolls; it’s about letting extraordinary fish and seafood shine in their purest form.

From Salon

You don’t have to shine a light on it.

From Los Angeles Times

"This has definitely made me more determined to shine a light, and to show people why it's so important to have these conversations in 2025."

From BBC

Related Words

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