sunbeam
gb/sˈʌnbˌim/ us/sˈʌnbˌim/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
a ray of sunlight
a line of light from the sun
Usage pattern:
a sunbeam (of [light]) (through [place])
Common mistake:
Often misspelled as two words (*sun beam*). The plural is *sunbeams*.
Synonyms
ray of sunlight (A very close neutral synonym; less poetic.)
|
shaft of light (More general; not necessarily from the sun.)
Antonyms
shadow (An area where light is blocked.)
|
darkness (The absence of light in general.)
Collocations
a sunbeam through the window
|a single sunbeam
|golden sunbeams
|sunbeams streaming in
|sunbeams filtering through the trees
|a shaft of sunbeam
|a patch of sunbeam
|a slanting sunbeam
|sunbeams broke through
|caught in a sunbeam
Themes
weather
|nature
|daily_life
Examples
- A sunbeam fell across the kitchen table as the clouds cleared.
- Sunbeams streamed through the trees and lit up the path.
- She watched the dust dance in a sunbeam by the window.
Learner examples
- A sunbeam came in through the window.
- I sat in a warm sunbeam.
Noun
literary
B2
role
2
a cheerful, uplifting person
a person who makes others feel happy
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a sunbeam (in [someone]'s life)
Common mistake:
This meaning is figurative; it refers to a person, not actual sunlight.
Synonyms
ray of sunshine (More common in everyday speech; very close in meaning.)
|
bright spot (More general; can refer to a thing or situation as well as a person.)
Antonyms
downer (An informal term for someone who brings down the mood.)
|
gloom (A feeling or atmosphere of sadness; opposite emotional effect.)
Collocations
a little sunbeam
|a real sunbeam
|a sunbeam in my life
|a sunbeam of joy
|a sunbeam of happiness
|be a sunbeam
|call someone a sunbeam
|like a sunbeam
Themes
emotions
|people
|relationships
Examples
- Even on stressful days, he’s a sunbeam around the office.
- Her niece is a total sunbeam—always smiling and asking questions.
- They described their teacher as a sunbeam who made everyone feel welcome.
Learner examples
- My sister is a sunbeam when I feel sad.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sunbeam
IPA
GB/sˈʌnbˌim/
US/sˈʌnbˌim/
Syllables & stress
sun - beam (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sunbeam
- Plural: sunbeams
Expressions
a sunbeam in [someone]'s life
1/ə sˈʌnbˌim ˈɪn sˈoʊmˈoʊnz lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
literary
someone who brings happiness
a person who makes your life happier
Examples
- My grandmother was a sunbeam in my life when I was growing up.
- He’s been a sunbeam in her life during a difficult year.
- To the kids, their coach is a sunbeam in their lives.
like a sunbeam
1/lˈaɪk ə sˈʌnbˌim/
fixed phrase
literary
bright, warm, and cheerful
very bright and cheerful
Examples
- She walked into the room like a sunbeam and everyone relaxed.
- The toddler darted around the garden like a sunbeam.
- His laugh was like a sunbeam on a grey afternoon.