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 Web
Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Here's a hint: The traffic tightens near this spot
Where our former First Lady shines.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Nov. 2024
To thicken the cabbage and give it a nice glossy shine, dissolve some cornstarch in water.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shine 
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show current usage.
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Verb
Queen Camilla is shining one of Queen Elizabeth's tiaras, a brand new addition to her royal rotation.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Here's a hint: The traffic tightens near this spot
Where our former First Lady shines.
—Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
Blue tansy oil helps balance brassy hues, while spirulina strengthens the hair and adds shine.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Nov. 2024
To thicken the cabbage and give it a nice glossy shine, dissolve some cornstarch in water.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shine
Dictionary Entries Near shine
Cite this Entry
“Shine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shine. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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