shine
verb (used without object)
to give forth or glow with light; shed or cast light.
was shining
-
past progressiveof shine.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
If you didn’t buy an umbrella while the sun was shining, that protection will cost you dearly now.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
The sun was shining and the clouds were gone by the time world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, playing in the third-to-last group with Si Woo Kim and Xander Schauffele, teed off at 2:19.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2026
"I had to turn away from her because she was shining so brightly."
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2025
The sun was shining Saturday, and Derby-goers didn’t have to contend with the bad news that put a damper on the race last year, when seven horses died in the week leading into the race.
From Seattle Times ● May 4, 2024
I felt like I was shining, and this time I thought maybe it wasn’t just the moon.
From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling
