shine
give off light or be bright
To give light, or to be bright because light comes from it, like the sun or a lamp.
[something] shines
- The stars were shining clearly in the cold night sky.
- A single lamp shone in the window of the small house.
- Her phone screen shone brightly in the dark room.
- The sun was shining, so we decided to eat outside.
- A light shone from the end of the tunnel.
- The sun shines on the lake.
- At night, many small lights shine in the city.
- A bright star shines above the mountains.
- The lamp shines on my book when I read.
- A candle shines softly in the dark room.
be very good or impressive
To do something very well, so people notice that you are better than others.
[someone] shines at [something]
- She really shines at public speaking and always holds the audience’s attention.
- He shines in pressure situations and never seems to panic.
- Math is the subject where he truly shines.
- Their youngest daughter shines on stage whenever she performs.
- This is your chance to shine in front of the whole team.
- She shines at science and gets top grades.
- He shines in big games and often scores.
- I do not shine in tests; I get very nervous.
- Our new manager shines when there is a problem.
- Your ideas shine in this report.
direct a light at something
To point a light, like a flashlight or lamp, so that the light goes onto something.
to shine [a light] on [something]
- He shone a flashlight on the map so we could see it.
- The guard shone his torch on the door to check the lock.
- She shone a bright light on the painting to look at the details.
- Please don’t shine the headlights directly on the house windows.
- The stage crew shone a spotlight on the main actor.
- He shines a light on the wall.
- She shines a flashlight on the ground to find her keys.
- The driver shines his headlights on the road.
- Please do not shine that bright light in my eyes.
- They shine a lamp on the picture to see it better.
polish something until it is bright
To rub something again and again, like shoes or a table, so that it becomes clean and bright.
to shine [something]
- He shined his shoes before the interview.
- The hotel staff had shined the floors until they looked new.
- She spent an hour shining the silver for the party.
- They shined the table so well that it reflected the lights.
- The children were paid to shine boots outside the station.
- I shine my shoes every Sunday.
- He shines the table with a clean cloth.
- They shine the floor before the guests arrive.
- She shines her boots so they look new.
- We shine the cups until they are bright.
reflect light and look bright
To look bright because light hits a smooth or clean surface and comes back to your eyes.
[something] shines
- Her hair shone in the sunlight.
- The polished floor shone like glass.
- His eyes shone with tears as he spoke.
- The new car shone after it was washed.
- The metal rails shone in the morning light.
- The clean floor shines in the sun.
- His shoes shine after he cleans them.
- Her hair shines when it is wet.
- The plates shine on the table.
- The river shines in the evening light.
brightness on a smooth surface
The bright look on something smooth and clean, like on new shoes or a polished table.
the shine on [something]
- The shoes had a perfect shine after he polished them.
- She worked hard to bring back the shine on the wooden table.
- Over time, the floor lost its shine and looked old.
- The conditioner gives your hair a healthy shine.
- The car’s paint still has a factory shine.
- Your shoes have a good shine.
- I want to get the shine back on this table.
- The floor has no shine now.
- This cream gives my hair more shine.
- The car keeps its shine after the wash.
act or process of polishing
The work of cleaning and rubbing something to make it bright, or the bright result after this work.
give [something] a shine
- He stopped to get a quick shoe shine before the meeting.
- These boots need a good shine.
- The service includes a wash and a shine for your car.
- She gave the silver a shine before putting it on the table.
- A man on the corner offers shoe shines for commuters.
- My shoes need a shine.
- He gives his car a shine every weekend.
- I will give these boots a quick shine.
- The boy sells shoe shines on the street.
- After a shine, the table looks new.
sudden or strong liking
A quick and strong feeling that you like someone or something, often used in the phrase *take a shine to*.
take a shine to [someone/something]
- The dog seems to have taken a shine to you.
- She quickly took a shine to her new teacher.
- Our boss has taken a real shine to the new intern.
- The kids took a shine to the game right away.
- He hoped the audience would take a shine to his music.
- The baby takes a shine to her uncle.
- My son took a shine to his new school.
- The cat takes a shine to our neighbor.
- She took a shine to that red dress.
- The class took a shine to the new book.
- Base: shine
- Plural: shine
- Base: shine
- 3rd Person Singular: shines
- Present Participle: shining
- Past: shined, shone
- Past Participle: shone
- Irregular past participle: shone Verb
shine a light on
1make something clear or visible
To make a problem, fact, or situation easier to see or understand, often by giving new information about it.
- The report shines a light on problems in the healthcare system.
- Her research helped shine a light on how social media affects teenagers.
shine out
1stand out clearly or brightly
To be very easy to see or notice, especially because something is very bright or very good.
- One star shone out more brightly than all the others.
- Among all the candidates, her experience really shone out.
shine through
1be clearly seen or felt
To be clearly seen, felt, or noticed, even when other things are happening around it.
- Her love for the children really shines through in her work.
- Despite his nervousness, his talent shone through during the performance.
shine up to
1flatter someone to gain favor
To be very nice and friendly to someone because you want something from them, not just because you like them.
- He’s always shining up to the boss before performance reviews.
- She started shining up to the new manager right away.
take a shine to
1suddenly start liking someone
To quickly begin to like someone or something a lot.
- Their baby has really taken a shine to you.
- The manager seems to have taken a shine to our new colleague.
come rain or shine
1No matter what happens
No matter what happens, in any situation.
- She goes jogging every morning, come rain or shine.
- She walks her dog every morning, come rain or shine.
- The event will be held come rain or shine.
- The market is open every Saturday, come rain or shine.
rise and shine
1Wake up and get moving happily
Used to tell someone to wake up and start their day with energy.
- Come on, kids, rise and shine! We have a busy day ahead.
- Come on, kids, rise and shine! It’s time for school.
- Rise and shine! It's time for school.
- Rise and shine, we have a busy day ahead.