noun
shiner
SHEYE-nuh
Shiner (noun) means a bruise around the eye from being struck; a black eye. Example: “He came home from the match with a real shiner.”
noun
1
A bruise around the eye from being struck; a black eye.
"He came home from the match with a real shiner."
2
Any of several small, silvery freshwater fish.
"They caught a bucket of shiners to use as bait."
How to use shiner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly used informally to mean a black eye.
When to use it
Informal, especially in the "black eye" sense.
Common pairings
a black shiner
give someone a shiner
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Word forms
- Plural
- shiners
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He came home from the match with a real _____.
Etymology
From Middle English schyner, built from shine + -er.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shiner
See all rhymes for shiner →Frequently asked questions
What does “shiner” mean?
The word “shiner” means a bruise around the eye from being struck; a black eye. In plain terms, most commonly used informally to mean a black eye.
How do you pronounce “shiner”?
“Shiner” is pronounced SHEYE-nuh (/ˈʃaɪnə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “shiner” in a sentence?
Here is “shiner” used in a sentence: “He came home from the match with a real shiner.”
What part of speech is “shiner”?
“Shiner” is a noun.
Where does the word “shiner” come from?
The word “shiner” comes from Middle English. From Middle English schyner, built from shine + -er.
How many meanings does “shiner” have?
“Shiner” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bruise around the eye from being struck; a black eye.