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 WebMichael Saponara, Billboard, 21 May 2024
In Warren’s estimation, Lollapalooza shined a spotlight on a powerfully potent counterculture that then became a mainstream culture.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for shine 
Verb
Wearing a glossy vanilla-white bodysuit hugging her curves, Tems shined bright in front of the amber sunset backdrop alongside her live band and supporting vocalists in black sports jackets and matching suit pants.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 21 May 2024
In Warren’s estimation, Lollapalooza shined a spotlight on a powerfully potent counterculture that then became a mainstream culture.
—A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for shine
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.
Dictionary Entries Near shine
Cite this Entry
“Shine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shine. Accessed 28 May. 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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