shiny
SHEYE-nee
Shiny (adj) means reflecting light off a smooth surface. Example: “She polished the car until it was shiny.”
adj
1
Reflecting light off a smooth surface.
"She polished the car until it was shiny."
"His new shoes looked shiny under the shop lights."
"The lake looked shiny in the early morning sunlight."
2
Excellent or impressive, especially something new and eye-catching.
"Everyone wanted to try out the shiny new gadget."
"The company showed off its shiny new headquarters to visitors."
"He was tempted by every shiny new offer that came along."
noun
1
A small glittering object or collectible prized for its appeal.
"The magpie collector kept every shiny it could find."
"The little boy proudly showed me the shiny he had found on the beach."
"Collectors in the game will trade almost anything for a rare shiny."
How to use shiny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishReflecting or giving off light — or, informally, something impressive and new.
Memory tip
Think of "shiny" as the everyday word for anything glossy, polished, or catching the light.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
shiny new
shiny surface
bright and shiny
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Word forms
- Plural
- shinies
- Comparative
- shinier, more shiny
- Superlative
- shiniest, most shiny
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She polished the car until it was _____.
Etymology
From shine plus the adjective-forming suffix -y, going back through Old English to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to shine."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for shiny
See all rhymes for shiny →Frequently asked questions
What does “shiny” mean?
The word “shiny” means reflecting light off a smooth surface. In plain terms, reflecting or giving off light — or, informally, something impressive and new.
How do you pronounce “shiny”?
“Shiny” is pronounced SHEYE-nee (/ˈʃaɪ.ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “shiny” in a sentence?
Here is “shiny” used in a sentence: “She polished the car until it was shiny.”
What is another word for “shiny”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shiny” include gleamy, glisteny, mirrorlike, mirrory, relucent and shining.
What is the opposite of “shiny”?
The opposite of “shiny” — its antonyms — are dull, glossless, matt, matte and mirrorless.
What part of speech is “shiny”?
Depending on how it is used, “shiny” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “shiny” come from?
The word “shiny” comes from Old English. From shine plus the adjective-forming suffix -y, going back through Old English to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to shine.".
Is “shiny” a common word?
“Shiny” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between shiny and glossy?
Both describe surfaces that reflect light, but glossy usually implies a smooth, lacquered, hard finish, as with glossy paper or paint. Shiny is a broader, more everyday word for anything that gleams, whether metal, glass, or a polished shoe.
What is the difference between shiny and matte?
Shiny surfaces reflect light and appear bright and glossy, while matte surfaces are dull and non-reflective. They are opposites, so a matte finish deliberately avoids the sheen of a shiny one.
What is the difference between shiny and glittery?
Shiny means reflecting light off a smooth surface with a steady sheen. Glittery means sparkling with many small points of light, as from sequins or glitter, so a glittery surface twinkles rather than simply gleaming.
