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Synonyms

sunshine

American  
[suhn-shahyn] / ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn /

noun

  1. the shining of the sun; direct light of the sun.

  2. brightness or radiance; cheerfulness or happiness.

  3. a source of cheer or happiness.

  4. the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.

  5. a place where the direct rays of the sun fall.

adjective

  1. of or relating to sunshine laws.

    sunshine rules.

  2. fair-weather.

sunshine British  
/ ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn /

noun

  1. the light received directly from the sun

  2. the warmth from the sun

  3. a sunny area

  4. a light-hearted or ironic term of address

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of sunshine

1200–50; Middle English sunnesin; see sun, shine 1

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."

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Vocabulary lists containing sunshine

Yellow

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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.

With a helicopter circling overhead, police in armored vehicles rolled up to the Sunshine Motel in downtown San Bernardino and jumped out with assault rifles at the ready.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

The citrus families became royal in the Sunshine State.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Gold.com acquired Sunshine Minting, increasing capacity to three million ounces weekly, and secured a $150 million investment from Tether.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Sunshine, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds - parts of the UK are likely to see it all over the weekend.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

As she packed, she hummed “You Are My Sunshine” and explained to me, “We’re moving to the Sunshine State to live happily ever after.”

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

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.