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adj Common

shining

SHEYE-nihng

Shining (adj) means giving off or reflecting bright light. Example: “The shining lake stretched out before them.”

adj
1
Giving off or reflecting bright light.
"The shining lake stretched out before them."
2
Outstandingly good; a standout example.
"She was a shining example of dedication."

How to use shining

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBright and gleaming, or (figuratively) outstanding and admirable.

Common pairings
a shining example shining armour

Word forms

more shining comparative, shininger comparative, shinings plural, most shining superlative, shiningest superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ lake stretched out before them.

Etymology

By surface analysis, shine + -ing.

Related words

Rhymes for shining

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Frequently asked questions

What does “shining” mean?

The word “shining” means giving off or reflecting bright light. In plain terms, bright and gleaming, or (figuratively) outstanding and admirable.

How do you pronounce “shining”?

“Shining” is pronounced SHEYE-nihng (/ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “shining” in a sentence?

Here is “shining” used in a sentence: “The shining lake stretched out before them.”

What is another word for “shining”?

Words with a similar meaning to “shining” include fulgent, aglow, alight, beamful, beamsome and beamy.

What is the opposite of “shining”?

The opposite of “shining” — its antonyms — is dark.

What part of speech is “shining”?

“Shining” is an adjective.

Is “shining” a common word?

“Shining” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “shining” have?

“Shining” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: giving off or reflecting bright light.

What is the difference between "shining" and "shiny"?

"Shining" describes something actively giving off or reflecting light, as in shining eyes or a shining lamp. "Shiny" describes a glossy, polished surface that looks reflective, such as shiny shoes, whether or not it is currently catching the light. In short, shining emphasises the light itself, while shiny emphasises the smooth, reflective texture.

What is the difference between "shining" and "shone"?

"Shining" is the present participle and adjective form, used for something currently glowing or excellent, as in the shining sun. "Shone" is the usual past tense of the verb shine when it means to give off light, as in "the sun shone all day." When shine means to polish, the past tense is instead "shined," as in "he shined his shoes."

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary