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

Synonym Usage

See bright.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of shining

First recorded before 900; Middle English s(c)hininge, schininde, Old English scinende; see 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.

The Apple TV horror-comedy is like if a more sympathetic version of the mayor from Jaws got stuck between The Shining and Parks and Recreation.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2026

Alberto Fujimori led Peru through the turbulent 1990s, crushing Maoist Shining Path rebels and taming hyperinflation.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

“One Shining Moment” is another man’s darkness, and so it was that after Michigan’s 69-63 title victory over UConn Monday night, Mara unwittingly milked his co-starring role in the tournament’s annual music video compilation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

A hovering patch of light in “Low Shining Sun” seems to be a homage to both Rothko and Ron Gorchov.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

“Those are called the Bighorn Mountains now. Our people called them the Shining Mountains.”

From "In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse" by Joseph Marshall III

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