sunshine
SUHN-shyn
Sunshine (noun) means Sunlight, especially warm and pleasant daylight. Example: “Morning sunshine poured through the kitchen window and warmed the table.”
noun
1
Sunlight, especially warm and pleasant daylight.
"Morning sunshine poured through the kitchen window and warmed the table."
"The kids played outside, soaking up the sunshine."
"There's nothing like a bit of sunshine to lift your mood."
2
An affectionate or sometimes sarcastic term for a cheerful person.
"Cheer up, sunshine, it is only Monday and there is cake in the kitchen."
"My grandmother calls every one of her grandchildren sunshine."
"Morning, sunshine — you look thrilled to be here."
How to use sunshine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWarm sunlight, or an affectionate (sometimes sarcastic) nickname for someone.
When to use it
As a term of address ("hey, sunshine"), it can be genuinely affectionate or lightly mocking depending on tone.
Common pairings
bit of sunshine
ray of sunshine
morning, sunshine
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sunshine.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Morning _____ poured through the kitchen window and warmed the table.
Etymology
From Middle English sunnesine, sun + shine.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sunshine
See all rhymes for sunshine →Frequently asked questions
What does “sunshine” mean?
The word “sunshine” means sunlight, especially warm and pleasant daylight. In plain terms, warm sunlight, or an affectionate (sometimes sarcastic) nickname for someone.
How do you pronounce “sunshine”?
“Sunshine” is pronounced SUHN-shyn (/ˈsʌnʃaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “sunshine” in a sentence?
Here is “sunshine” used in a sentence: “The kids played outside, soaking up the sunshine.”
What part of speech is “sunshine”?
“Sunshine” is a noun.
Where does the word “sunshine” come from?
The word “sunshine” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sunnesine, sun + shine.
Is “sunshine” a common word?
“Sunshine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “sunshine” have?
“Sunshine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: sunlight, especially warm and pleasant daylight.
What is the difference between "sunshine" and "sunlight"?
Sunlight is the neutral, general term for the light that comes from the sun. Sunshine usually implies warm, bright, pleasant daylight, especially under a clear sky, so you measure sunlight but you enjoy sunshine on a fine day.
When is "sunshine" used as a nickname for a person?
Sunshine can be an affectionate name for someone cheerful and upbeat, as in "morning, sunshine." It is also said sarcastically to someone who is grumpy or gloomy, so the tone of voice decides which meaning is intended.
Is "sunshine" a countable or uncountable noun?
In its main sense of sunlight, sunshine is uncountable, so you say "a lot of sunshine," not "many sunshines." You would not normally put "a" before it except in fixed expressions like "a ray of sunshine."
What are common phrases with "sunshine"?
Common collocations include "bright sunshine," "warm sunshine," "a ray of sunshine," and "sunshine and showers." The phrase "a ray of sunshine" often describes a person or thing that brings happiness.
