sheen

1 of 5

adjective (1)

Synonyms of sheen
1
archaic : beautiful
2
archaic : shining, resplendent

sheen

2 of 5

verb

sheened; sheening; sheens

intransitive verb

: to be bright : show a sheen

sheen

3 of 5

noun (1)

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 adjective

sheeny

4 of 5

adjective (2)

-er/-est
: lustrous with sheen : shining, radiant

sheeny

5 of 5

noun (2)

shee·​ny
variants or sheenie or less commonly sheeney
"
plural sheenies also sheeneys
disparaging + offensive
: jew

Examples of sheen in a Sentence

Noun (1) Her hair has a sheen to it. polished the metal until it had an even sheen
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The sheen and square-toe box make these reminiscent of ballet pointe shoes. Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026 Hyaluronic acid can also restore sheen and overall luster. Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 10 June 2026
Verb
Again, this division lacks sheen, but all four members are viable winners. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 16 May 2026 Algae extract delivers a concentrated dose of minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, and B-vitamins restore body, sheen, and texture to strands dulled by damage. Taylor Jean Stephan, Allure, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
The rind should have a bright sheen and have a spot of creamy, yellow shading on one side. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026 Minced bunches of mint, scallions and parsley shift the mixture into warm-salad territory, particularly with the silken sheen of good olive oil that Anissa drizzles over at the end. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sheen

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

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

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheen was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sheen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheen. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

sheen

noun
ˈshēn
: a bright or shining condition
the sheen of satin

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