shine
Shine (verb) means to give off or reflect light brightly. Example: “The sun shone brightly over the valley.”
How to use shine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give off light or a glossy brightness — or, figuratively, to excel or stand out.
Word forms
shone past tense, shined past tense, shined past tense, shines plural, Shines plural, shines singular, shines singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car had a real _____ after being waxed.
Etymology
From Old English sċīnan ("to shine, to be resplendent"), a very old Germanic word still recognisable in Dutch schijnen and German scheinen.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for shine
See all rhymes for shine →Frequently asked questions
What does “shine” mean?
The word “shine” means to give off or reflect light brightly. In plain terms, to give off light or a glossy brightness — or, figuratively, to excel or stand out.
How do you pronounce “shine”?
“Shine” is pronounced shyn (/ʃaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “shine” in a sentence?
Here is “shine” used in a sentence: “The car had a real shine after being waxed.”
What is another word for “shine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shine” include beam, beshine, glow, gleam, illuminate and illumine.
What is the opposite of “shine”?
The opposite of “shine” — its antonyms — are adumbrate, darken, obscure, shade and overshadow.
What part of speech is “shine”?
Depending on how it is used, “shine” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shine” come from?
The word “shine” comes from Old English. From Old English sċīnan ("to shine, to be resplendent"), a very old Germanic word still recognisable in Dutch schijnen and German scheinen.
Is “shine” a common word?
“Shine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between shine and glow?
To shine is to give off or reflect bright light, often with intensity or brilliance. To glow is to give off a softer, steady light or warmth, usually without a sharp brightness.
What is the difference between shine and shimmer?
Shine means to give off or reflect light brightly and steadily. Shimmer means to shine with a soft, wavering, or flickering light, as light does on the surface of moving water.
What is the difference between shined and shone?
Use shone as the past tense when shine means to give off light, as in the sun shone. Use shined when it means to polish, as in he shined his shoes. Usage varies, but this distinction is common.