shine

1 of 2

verb

ˈshīn 

shone ˈshōn 

especially Canadian and British

ˈshän  or shined; shining

intransitive verb

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

4

: to have a bright glowing appearance

his face shone with enthusiasm

5

: to be conspicuously evident or clear

transitive verb

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

shine

2 of 2

noun

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

5

: trick, caper

—usually used in plural

6

: liking, fancy

took a shine to him

7

a

: a polish or gloss given to shoes

b

: a single polishing of a pair of shoes

Synonyms of shine

Verb

• glow
• beam
• ray
• radiate

Noun

• gleam
• glow
• glare
• glint
• sheen

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 Web

Verb

From the most delicate shades of baby pink to the liveliest hues of fuchsia, every shade of pink shines better when mixed with white, a neutral that never steals the spotlight. — Emma Bocchi, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026

Smart storage solutions are where this shipping container pool shines. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

Kuk and especially Kodelja shine with naturalistic charm in this delicate two-hander, their easy chemistry making credible the rapport between Maruša’s grungy cynic and Alja’s snuggie-wearing neurotic. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026

If your hair is feeling dry, hairstylist Kee Taylor recommends smoothing a lightweight oil through the midlengths and ends to improve manageability and shine. — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English scīnan; akin to Old High German skīnan to shine and perhaps to Greek skia shadow

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing shine

• come rain or (come) shine
• rain or shine
• rise and shine
• shine through
• take a shine to

Rhymes for shine

• brine
• chine
• cline
• dine
• fein
• fine
• gwine
• hine
• jain
• klein
• kline
• line

Kids Definition

shine

1 of 2 verb

ˈshīn 

shone ˈshōn  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

shine

2 of 2 noun

1

: brightness from light given off or reflected

2

: fair weather : sunshine

rain or shine

3

: liking, fancy

took a shine to them

4

: a polish given to shoes