sunshine

1 of 2

noun

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

Having her grandchildren visit was her sunshine.

3

: sunshine bass

sunshiny

ˈsən-ˌshī-nē 

adjective

sunshine

2 of 2

adjective

: forbidding or restricting closed meetings of legislative or executive bodies and sometimes providing for public access to records

sunshine laws

Synonyms of sunshine

Noun

• sun
• sunlight

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

Noun

Expect more clouds than sunshine on Sunday, but also expect temperatures to be a little warmer! —Ray Petelin, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Bastian led me up Bunker Hill to California Plaza, where office workers were enjoying the sunshine. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Earlier sunshine way to clouds and scattered rain as the first, in a series, of passing systems brings brief wet weather to Maryland. —Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

There will be storms, but there will also be sunshine. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sunshine

• ray of sunshine
• sunshine bass

Rhymes for sunshine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

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

-ˌshī-nē

adjective

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