sheen

¹sheen

adjective \ˈshēn\

Definition of SHEEN

1

archaic : beautiful

2

archaic : shining, resplendent

Origin of SHEEN

Middle English shene, from Old English scīene; akin to Old English scēawian to look — more at show

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with SHEEN

bean, clean, dean, Dean, Deane, dene, e'en, gene, glean, green, jean, keen, lean, lien, mean, mesne, mien, peen, preen, quean, queen, scene, screen, shin, sin, spean, spleen, teen, tween, wean, ween, wheen, yean

²sheen

intransitive verb

Definition of SHEEN

: to be bright : show a sheen

First Known Use of SHEEN

14th century

³sheen

noun

Definition of SHEEN

1

a : a bright or shining condition : brightness

b : a subdued glitter approaching but short of optical reflection

c : a lustrous surface imparted to textiles through finishing processes or use of shiny yarns

2

: a textile exhibiting notable sheen

— sheeny \ˈshē-nē\ adjective

Examples of SHEEN

1. Her hair has a sheen to it.
2. <polished the metal until it had an even sheen>

First Known Use of SHEEN

1600

Related to SHEEN

Synonyms

burnish, gloss, luminance, luster (or lustre), polish, shine

Related Words

glare, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glow, shimmer; blink, flicker, sparkle, twinkle; illumination, irradiation; iridescence, luminescence; brilliance, luminosity, radiance, radiancy, refulgence; finish, glaze

Near Antonyms

dimness, dinginess, dirtiness, drabness, dullness (also dulness), flatness; grayness, paleness; cloudiness, gloom, murkiness, obscureness, obscurity, somberness

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile