shining

[shahy-ning]

adjective

1. radiant; gleaming; bright.

   Synonyms: effulgent

2. resplendent; brilliant.

   shining talents.

   Synonyms: lustrous

3. conspicuously fine.

   a shining example.

   Synonyms: splendid, prime, eminent, distinguished, outstanding

Other Word Forms

• shiningly adverb
• self-shining adjective
• unshining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shining¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English s(c)hininge, schininde, Old English scinende; shine ¹, -ing ²

Synonym Study

See bright.

Example Sentences

"There's something shining inside your box," Bird shouted towards the posh seats as he once more took the ire of the crowd.

From BBC

It seemed fitting that the sun was shining in Port Glasgow when the pair were reunited a fortnight later and John was happy to announce that the Plook trophy had been officially retired.

From BBC

Of all of Redford’s achievements, the institute and the festival are the most wide-ranging and everlasting, two shining, defiant examples of how quickly goodness multiplies.

From Salon

“Sybil Brand has been incredibly effective in shining a really harsh spotlight on some terrible things going on in the jails,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

"Maria is like any Brazilian woman. She works hard to live. But she's always smiling and her eyes are shining."

From BBC

Related Words

• bright 
• brilliant 
• conspicuous 
• glistening www.thesaurus.com
• incandescent 
• luminous 
• lustrous 
• radiant 
• scintillating 
• shiny 
• sparkling