English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

moonshine

MOON-shyn

Moonshine (noun) means the light given off by the moon. Example: “The lake shimmered in the moonshine.”

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noun

1

The light given off by the moon.

"The lake shimmered in the moonshine."

"They could just make out the path by moonshine."

2

Strong alcohol, especially whiskey, that is often distilled illegally at home.

"His grandfather used to make moonshine in the hills during Prohibition."

"The bottle of moonshine had no label at all."

3

Nonsense; empty or foolish talk.

"Don't listen to his moonshine about get-rich-quick schemes."

verb

1

To secretly make homemade, illegal alcohol.

"They were arrested for moonshining in an old barn."

How to use moonshine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither literal moonlight, or homemade (often illegal) strong liquor.

Common mistake

In everyday use almost always means the illegal liquor, not the literal light of the moon — context makes it clear which is meant.

Common pairings

a jar of moonshine run moonshine moonshine still

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

moonshined past tense, moonshines plural, moonshines singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The lake shimmered in the _____.

Etymology

From Middle English "moon-shine." The illicit-alcohol sense comes from smugglers and distillers who worked at night, "by the light of the moon," to avoid being caught.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

Moon moonlight bootleg corn liquor

Related words

earth moon planet satellite moonlight luna hipster bootleg

Rhymes for moonshine

nine mine wine line sine dine fine vine pine tine thine shine

See all rhymes for moonshine →

Frequently asked questions

What does “moonshine” mean?

The word “moonshine” means the light given off by the moon. In plain terms, either literal moonlight, or homemade (often illegal) strong liquor.

How do you pronounce “moonshine”?

“Moonshine” is pronounced MOON-shyn (/ˈmuːnʃaɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “moonshine” in a sentence?

Here is “moonshine” used in a sentence: “The lake shimmered in the moonshine.”

What part of speech is “moonshine”?

Depending on how it is used, “moonshine” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “moonshine” come from?

The word “moonshine” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "moon-shine." The illicit-alcohol sense comes from smugglers and distillers who worked at night, "by the light of the moon," to avoid being caught.

How many meanings does “moonshine” have?

“Moonshine” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the light given off by the moon.

People also searched

earth moon planet satellite moonlight luna hipster bootleg

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial