sunshine
Americannoun
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the shining of the sun; direct light of the sun.
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brightness or radiance; cheerfulness or happiness.
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a source of cheer or happiness.
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the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.
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a place where the direct rays of the sun fall.
adjective
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of or relating to sunshine laws.
sunshine rules.
noun
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the light received directly from the sun
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the warmth from the sun
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a sunny area
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a light-hearted or ironic term of address
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sunshine
Explanation
Sunshine is the light that comes from the sun. On a clear, cloudless spring day, you can go outside and enjoy the sunshine. Scientifically, sunshine or sunlight is the radiation that the sun gives off. You can describe any light or warmth you observe from the sun as sunshine: "Look at the sunshine sparkling on the lake this morning!" Figuratively, the word is also used for cheerfulness, warmth, and happiness: "It's all sunshine and sing-alongs in the kindergarten classroom, but fourth grade is totally different."
Vocabulary lists containing sunshine
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.
Sitting on a bench dedicated to her memory, Maddy Cusack's sister and cousin fondly remember her as their sunshine and someone with a real sense of fun.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
The northern half of the UK will see a return to sunshine and blustery showers on Saturday, with most of the showers being in Scotland.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
But where she was something of a ray of sunshine in “Reacher,” she has been loaded here with issues, including a dying father who isn’t telling her something.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
It would represent a small and desperately needed ray of sunshine, before what could be baseball’s nuclear winter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026
She had promised Clara sunshine, and she was one to keep a promise, even if the ghost was not around to appreciate it.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
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.
