1
: to emit rays of light
2
: to be bright by reflection of light
3
a
: to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished
shines in math
b
: to perform extremely well
when will stocks really shine again?—
Temma Ehrenfeld
Temma Ehrenfeld4
: to have a bright glowing appearance
his face shone with enthusiasm
5
: to be conspicuously evident or clear
1
a
: to cause to emit light
b
: to throw or direct the light of
2
past tense and past participle shined
: to make bright by polishing
shined his shoes
1
: brightness caused by the emission of light
2
: brightness caused by the reflection of light : luster
the shine of polished silver
3
: brilliance, splendor
still has a shine about her
4
: fair weather : sunshine
rain or shine
7
a
: a polish or gloss given to shoes
b
: a single polishing of a pair of shoes
Synonyms
Examples of shine in a Sentence
Verb
The sun was shining through the clouds.
lamps shining from the windows
She found a sport where she can really shine.
Noun
the shine of polished silver
He had a nice shine on his shoes.
Would you like a shine?
Recent Examples on the WebCharlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
The video also showed a distant figure, identified by police as Boswell, shining a light on the group before being shot.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024
Nutty, Herby Spring Pasta Baby or new potatoes shine in this dish that also includes leeks, basil and asparagus.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
The trial also shined a spotlight on DNA evidence, then a scientifically established but publicly suspect technology.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
The claim: Post shows 2024 eclipse image from James Webb Space Telescope
An April 8 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows streaks of light shining behind the moon.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Jon Bon Jovi is shining more light on his recovery process since undergoing vocal cord surgery in 2022.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Marsh shined in camp and earned the coveted fifth starter spot.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The shine is fun, although not something a lot of people will probably get into.
—Ryan J. Rusak, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024
The best setting powders can help seal in your foundation, keep shine under control, and leave your skin with a soft-focus finish.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
The shine is off the apple, at least among this set.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
The shine was off Calipari’s tenure in Lexington years ago.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024
This is the time of year when corned beef and cabbage shine.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024
Apple cider vinegar is a classic, natural ingredient that breaks down build-up and adds shine to the hair.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
While translucent powders and setting powders are both used for the same purpose—to set your makeup and control shine—setting powders are not necessarily translucent.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
The experiments literally shine a new light on the proton.
—Charlie Wood, WIRED, 14 Apr. 2024
The video also showed a distant figure, identified by police as Boswell, shining a light on the group before being shot.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 13 Apr. 2024
Nutty, Herby Spring Pasta Baby or new potatoes shine in this dish that also includes leeks, basil and asparagus.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024
The trial also shined a spotlight on DNA evidence, then a scientifically established but publicly suspect technology.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024
The claim: Post shows 2024 eclipse image from James Webb Space Telescope
An April 8 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows streaks of light shining behind the moon.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Jon Bon Jovi is shining more light on his recovery process since undergoing vocal cord surgery in 2022.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024
Marsh shined in camp and earned the coveted fifth starter spot.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
The shine of Varadkar’s government wore off during his second stint as taoiseach; Harris inherits a governing coalition facing a difficult fight to return to office.
—Rob Picheta, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
The shine is fun, although not something a lot of people will probably get into.
—Ryan J. Rusak, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024
The best setting powders can help seal in your foundation, keep shine under control, and leave your skin with a soft-focus finish.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
The shine is off the apple, at least among this set.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
The shine was off Calipari’s tenure in Lexington years ago.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024
This is the time of year when corned beef and cabbage shine.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024
Apple cider vinegar is a classic, natural ingredient that breaks down build-up and adds shine to the hair.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
While translucent powders and setting powders are both used for the same purpose—to set your makeup and control shine—setting powders are not necessarily translucent.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near shine
Cite this Entry
“Shine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shine. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shine
1 of 2 verb
shone
ˈshōn 
or shined; shining
or shined; shining
1
: to give light
the stars shone brightly
2
: to be glossy : gleam
polished the buttons until they shone like gold
3
: to be outstanding : show talent
on stage where I could really shine
4
: to cause to give light
shine a flashlight
5
: to make bright by polishing
shined my shoes
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