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
Temma Ehrenfeld4
: to have a bright glowing appearance
his face shone with enthusiasm
5
: to be conspicuously evident or clear
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
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
7
a
: a polish or gloss given to shoes
b
: a single polishing of a pair of shoes
Synonyms
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 WebJaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
In a statement, the estate attorney, Joshua Schiller, said that the lawsuit was intended to preserve Carlin’s legacy and shine a light on the threat that emerging technologies pose to intellectual property.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
The helicopter shines a spotlight near the hiker clinging to the cliff as ocean waves crash just below.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
Sol shone bright enough to secure a spot in the top 24, and progress to filming at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina in Hawaiʻi.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
In that light, the draconian sentence is punishment not only for a crime but also for shining a spotlight on decades of embarrassing failures, ones that were made clear to the entire country the day that Özer disappeared.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Trayce plays professional baseball While basketball is in the blood of the Thompson boys, Trayce shined in baseball.
—Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
The attention that these exchanges catalyze shines a light on a company that would have otherwise been ignored and, subsequently, drives stock trades that otherwise would not have happened.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
While translucent powders and setting powders are both used for the same purpose—to set your makeup and control shine—setting powders are not necessarily translucent.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Maximalist home design basics Klemm, who got her start in fashion and then moved to real estate and interior design, describes her style as modern maximalism with a touch of glam — bold colors, playful shapes, lots of texture and shine.
—The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024
Using a pastry brush, coast the raspberries with the jelly to give them a nice shine.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024
Its durable leather upper can be polished into an elegant shine or roughed up to look a little more relaxed, giving them an entirely different look for the boardroom or for casual wear.
—Olivia Muenter, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Ohio, a longtime predictor of presidents, has lost much of its shine as a bellwether state.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024
Lee has been a fun pickup, sure, but the Giants failed with shortstop Marco Luciano this spring, the shine of the Matt Chapman signing was tarnished by the way J.D. Davis’ exit was handled, and fans are still peeved about Brandon Crawford leaving (please stop emailing me).
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024
One tablespoon of butter in the ganache makes all the difference in the world, adding shine and extra silkiness to the glaze.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
Marsh shined in camp and earned the coveted fifth starter spot.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
In a statement, the estate attorney, Joshua Schiller, said that the lawsuit was intended to preserve Carlin’s legacy and shine a light on the threat that emerging technologies pose to intellectual property.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024
The helicopter shines a spotlight near the hiker clinging to the cliff as ocean waves crash just below.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 2 Apr. 2024
Sol shone bright enough to secure a spot in the top 24, and progress to filming at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina in Hawaiʻi.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
In that light, the draconian sentence is punishment not only for a crime but also for shining a spotlight on decades of embarrassing failures, ones that were made clear to the entire country the day that Özer disappeared.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Trayce plays professional baseball While basketball is in the blood of the Thompson boys, Trayce shined in baseball.
—Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
The attention that these exchanges catalyze shines a light on a company that would have otherwise been ignored and, subsequently, drives stock trades that otherwise would not have happened.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Apple cider vinegar is a classic, natural ingredient that breaks down build-up and adds shine to the hair.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
While translucent powders and setting powders are both used for the same purpose—to set your makeup and control shine—setting powders are not necessarily translucent.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Maximalist home design basics Klemm, who got her start in fashion and then moved to real estate and interior design, describes her style as modern maximalism with a touch of glam — bold colors, playful shapes, lots of texture and shine.
—The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024
Using a pastry brush, coast the raspberries with the jelly to give them a nice shine.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024
Its durable leather upper can be polished into an elegant shine or roughed up to look a little more relaxed, giving them an entirely different look for the boardroom or for casual wear.
—Olivia Muenter, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Ohio, a longtime predictor of presidents, has lost much of its shine as a bellwether state.
—Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024
Lee has been a fun pickup, sure, but the Giants failed with shortstop Marco Luciano this spring, the shine of the Matt Chapman signing was tarnished by the way J.D. Davis’ exit was handled, and fans are still peeved about Brandon Crawford leaving (please stop emailing me).
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024
One tablespoon of butter in the ganache makes all the difference in the world, adding shine and extra silkiness to the glaze.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of shine was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing shine
Dictionary Entries Near shine
Cite this Entry
“Shine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shine. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
shine
1 of 2 verb
shone
ˈshōn 
or shined; shining
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
More from Merriam-Webster on shine
Nglish: Translation of shine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shine for Arabic Speakers
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