sunburst

noun

sun·​burst ˈsən-ˌbərst 

often attributive

1

: a flash of sunlight especially through a break in clouds

2

a

: a jeweled brooch representing a sun surrounded by rays

b

: a design in the form of rays diverging from a central point

Examples of sunburst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The owners’ curation of Danish and vintage furnishings (such as a sage-green Egg chair and walnut dining set) further celebrate the home’s bones, along with a framed photo of Aaron Slims’s Poolside Glamour and a sunburst metal work of art. —Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 10 June 2025

The shimmering detail caught the light differently on stage, turning sunburst gold mid-performance and accentuating the high-impact nature of the short boot. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

The dial is ebony-black sunburst, like the original. —Carol Besler, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2024

The massive structure was built with Indiana limestone and granite, and adorned with flourishes in the form of sunbursts and lightning bolts. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sunburst

• amerced
• cloudburst
• coerced
• conversed
• disbursed
• dispersed
• headfirst
• immersed
• outburst
• rehearsed
• reversed
• submersed

Kids Definition

sunburst

noun

sun·​burst ˈsən-ˌbərst 

1

: a flash of sunlight especially through a break in the clouds

2

a

: a jeweled pin representing a sun surrounded by rays

b

: a design in the form of rays extending from a central point