shoeshine

American  

[shoo-shahyn] / ˈʃuˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. an act or instance of cleaning and polishing a pair of shoes.

2. the surface of a polished shoe or shoes.

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shoeshine British  

/ ˈʃuːˌʃaɪn /

noun

1. the act or an instance of polishing a pair of shoes

2. the appearance or shiny surface of polished shoes

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Etymology

Origin of shoeshine

shoe + shine ¹

Example Sentences

With the shoeshine under arrest, a Black militia gathered at a local jail to prevent a lynch mob from kidnapping and murdering him.

From Seattle Times

Another depicted shoeshine boys from Rio de Janeiro hustling for business on the sands of Copacabana.

From New York Times

Imagine something as simple as a shoeshine and news stand providing not only a sense of community, but economic stability and opportunity.

From Seattle Times

For months, he said, he scraped by, sharing meager rations and a scrap of plastic for shelter with his best friend, Haftom, a former shoeshine boy who had big dreams of success.

From Washington Post

Cardenas’ landlord gave him a break on rent, but he’s still struggling, and has seen several other shoeshine stores in the area close.

From Seattle Times