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noun

shiner

SHEYE-nuh
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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 notes

In 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
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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.

Origin: Middle English

mouse black eye common mackerel

Related words

Rhymes for shiner

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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.

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