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

Verb

• beam
• radiate
• ray

Noun

• burnish
• gloss
• luminance
• luster
• lustre
• polish
• 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

The Nuggets’ experience shined bright, making the right plays in the clutch, while OKC looked lost at times. —Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

The spotlight shined squarely on Dawson’s shoulders Monday. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025

Noun

The Best of Beauty winner feels moisturizing on the lips and brings plenty of shine to the equation. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 13 May 2025

To wit, many are amplifying their favorite colors with a drench of wet shine. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 May 2025

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

15th century, 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
• cline
• dine
• fein
• fine
• gwine
• hine
• jain
• klein
• kline
• line
• mine

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