adjective
-
glossy or polished; bright
-
(of clothes or material) worn to a smooth and glossy state, as by continual rubbing
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of shiny
Explanation
Shiny describes something with a smooth, glossy surface. If you want to see your reflection in the glass table, you'll have to polish it to keep it shiny. Something shiny has a shine, a brightness that comes from reflecting light. Are you into shiny new cars, or shiny diamonds? Or do you like shiny, happy people? Good synonyms are lustrous, sheeny and glossy.
Vocabulary lists containing shiny
Lyrics from "Umbrella" by Rihanna
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"A Suitcase of Seaweed" and "Immigrants Today"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Sula
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 chance to dip back into that world with some shiny new visuals and more screentime for fan favourite characters like Edward Kenway, Anne Bonny and Stede Bonnet can only be a good thing."
From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026
"Prime take-off and landing slots, growth in higher margin holidays and an order book of shiny new Airbus aircraft make it very appealing," he said, adding that EasyJet "should go for more" than the offer.
From Barron's • Jul. 10, 2026
By genuinely confessing on the dance floor, Madonna has made a far more moving and crucial “biopic” than any shiny studio film could afford her.
From Salon • Jul. 8, 2026
The company manufactures its own equipment to shape, bake and glaze the shiny pastries it sells across more than 40 countries, and relies on relatively few workers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2026
Sam pictured the inside of his own head, shiny steel with springs and teeth like a bear trap, grabbing at the Morse code and holding it tight so it would never escape.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
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.
