shining

American

[shahy-ning] / ˈʃaɪ nɪŋ /

adjective

radiant; gleaming; bright.

Synonyms:

effulgent
resplendent; brilliant.

shining talents.

Synonyms:

lustrous
conspicuously fine.

a shining example.

Synonyms:

splendid, prime, eminent, distinguished, outstanding

Related Words

See bright.

Other Word Forms

self-shining adjective
shiningly adverb
unshining adjective

Etymology

Origin of shining

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

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.

And, as much as I hate to unwittingly side with network executives, a new iteration that featured Gellar as anything other than its shining star wouldn’t have the dynamism of the original series.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

“If you didn’t buy an umbrella while the sun was shining, that protection will cost you dearly now.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

This is how I turn chatbot-generated personal statements into shining portraits of undeserving applicants, for a price.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

A fine for fans shining lasers at players on the pitch was also reduced by Caf.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

And Rowan, screaming, watched as the back of the cave came to life, opened its blood-red eyes, and lunged for him, shaking snow and ice from its shining white scales, baring its dripping teeth.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

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