sun·shine
ˈsən-ˌshīn 
1
a
: the sun's light or direct rays
b
: the warmth and light given by the sun's rays
c
: a spot or surface on which the sun's light shines
2
: someone or something (such as a person, condition, or influence) that radiates warmth, cheer, or happiness
3
: forbidding or restricting closed meetings of legislative or executive bodies and sometimes providing for public access to records
sunshine laws
Synonyms
Examples of sunshine in a Sentence
Noun
Today's forecast calls for sunshine.
Let's go out and enjoy the sunshine!
She was the kind of person who brought sunshine into people's lives.
Recent Examples on the Web
James McClain, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
It’s known for its long, sandy shores, abundant sunshine, excellent cuisine, and friendly locals.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Cool Cousins Hilton enjoyed a family trip with sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild and her kids, soaking up some sunshine together.
—Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Morning skies should be fairly bright, but clouds will slowly increase, filtering that afternoon sunshine.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2023
After a total of nine hours under the waves, two men with chattering teeth were able to emerge from their frigid craft into bright sunshine, blue skies and tropic heat.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Irfan Khan—Los Angeles Times/Getty Images The US is on track to generate more electricity from sunshine next year than from hydropower for the first time ever as surging installations of solar panels, especially residential systems, transform the power system.
—Will Wade, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
The weather was changeable, now rain, clouds and mist; now bursts of bright mountain sunshine.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
The temperatures in Nordic and Central European cities can reach well below freezing — allowing for picturesque snowy scenes and excellent skiing — while Southern Europe (which includes Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and Malta) promises more sunshine and moderate temperatures.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2023
Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Jan. 2023
Is sunshine protective against melanoma of the vulva?
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2012
The sky will clear overnight then high pressure will bring sunshine Wednesday and Thursday with high temperatures near 70 Wednesday and in the 60s on Thursday.
—Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2022
Opening day will come again, maybe the next one will be sunshine.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022
Hailey knows she's got style — from her sunshine bikinis to white mini skirts and motorcycle jackets, the Rhode founder offers no shortage of fashion inspo.
—Seventeen, 15 Aug. 2022
Sydney Sweeney, Lucy Hale, and Jessica Alba have all been spotted wearing the classic black and white Chuck Taylors this year, and supermodel Gigi Hadid wore a sunshine yellow pair during Milan Fashion Week.
—Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 12 July 2022
This weekend will be the most comfortable with the relatively rare July combination of sunshine warm temperatures and low humidity.
—Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2022
About 80 degrees if clouds dominate, but above 90 is possible if sunshine dominates and rain chances evaporate.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 10 June 2022
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Noun
Tall trees shade much of the property from the occasionally oppressive SoCal sunshine.
—James McClain, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2023
It’s known for its long, sandy shores, abundant sunshine, excellent cuisine, and friendly locals.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Cool Cousins Hilton enjoyed a family trip with sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild and her kids, soaking up some sunshine together.
—Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
Morning skies should be fairly bright, but clouds will slowly increase, filtering that afternoon sunshine.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2023
After a total of nine hours under the waves, two men with chattering teeth were able to emerge from their frigid craft into bright sunshine, blue skies and tropic heat.
—William J. Broad, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Irfan Khan—Los Angeles Times/Getty Images The US is on track to generate more electricity from sunshine next year than from hydropower for the first time ever as surging installations of solar panels, especially residential systems, transform the power system.
—Will Wade, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
The weather was changeable, now rain, clouds and mist; now bursts of bright mountain sunshine.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023
The temperatures in Nordic and Central European cities can reach well below freezing — allowing for picturesque snowy scenes and excellent skiing — while Southern Europe (which includes Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and Malta) promises more sunshine and moderate temperatures.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2023
Adjective
Runoff from Wednesday in low-lying parts of the Mission, Noe Valley and pockets of the west side will linger through Thursday afternoon, gradually dropping off as skies clear and sunshine returns.
—Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Jan. 2023
Is sunshine protective against melanoma of the vulva?
—Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2012
The sky will clear overnight then high pressure will bring sunshine Wednesday and Thursday with high temperatures near 70 Wednesday and in the 60s on Thursday.
—Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2022
Opening day will come again, maybe the next one will be sunshine.
—John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022
Hailey knows she's got style — from her sunshine bikinis to white mini skirts and motorcycle jackets, the Rhode founder offers no shortage of fashion inspo.
—Seventeen, 15 Aug. 2022
Sydney Sweeney, Lucy Hale, and Jessica Alba have all been spotted wearing the classic black and white Chuck Taylors this year, and supermodel Gigi Hadid wore a sunshine yellow pair during Milan Fashion Week.
—Alex Warner, PEOPLE.com, 12 July 2022
This weekend will be the most comfortable with the relatively rare July combination of sunshine warm temperatures and low humidity.
—Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2022
About 80 degrees if clouds dominate, but above 90 is possible if sunshine dominates and rain chances evaporate.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 10 June 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sunshine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing sunshine
Dictionary Entries Near sunshine
Cite this Entry
“Sunshine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunshine. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
sunshine
noun
sun·shine
-ˌshīn
1
a
: the sun's light or direct rays
b
: the warmth and light given by the sun's rays
2
: one (as a person or a condition) that spreads warmth, cheer, or happiness
sunshiny
adjective
-ˌshī-nē
Legal Definition
sunshine
adjective
sun·shine
: forbidding or restricting closed meetings of legislative or executive bodies and sometimes providing for public access to government records
sunshine laws
see also Freedom of Information Act
More from Merriam-Webster on sunshine
Nglish: Translation of sunshine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sunshine for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sunshine
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