1
archaic : beautiful
2
archaic : shining, resplendent

sheen

2 of 3

verb

sheened; sheening; sheens

intransitive verb

: to be bright : show a sheen

sheen

3 of 3

noun

1
a
: a bright or shining condition : brightness
b
: a subdued glitter approaching but short of optical reflection
c
: a lustrous surface imparted to textiles through finishing processes or use of shiny yarns
2
: a textile exhibiting notable sheen

Examples of sheen in a Sentence

Noun Her hair has a sheen to it. polished the metal until it had an even sheen
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Prime tile using a bonding primer, then coat floors with a flat-sheen base color. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2022 The impact resistant lenses can stand up to wildest show with UV protection and polarized lenses to further protect your peepers, and the ultra-sheen design, available in 5 colors, is guaranteed to steal the spotlight. Brandon Schultz, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022
Verb
Remove weights and parchment paper, and bake until crust has lost its raw dough sheen, 5 to 7 minutes. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2023 Meanwhile, the skin at Dion Lee was near phosphorescent, the silvery sheen something akin to an ethereal angel or a straight-up cyborg. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2023
Noun
My daughter has been entranced by the crunch of a plastic cup, the elastic of a luggage tag, and the sheen of an airline snack menu. Jocelyn Newman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Dec. 2024 Scoop Jacquard Tie-Back Mini Swing Dress The subtle sheen on this A-line dress comes not from sequins but from silvery metallic stitching. Miles Walls, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sheen 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English shene, from Old English scīene; akin to Old English scēawian to look — more at show

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheen was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sheen

Cite this Entry

“Sheen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheen. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

sheen

noun
ˈshēn
: a bright or shining condition
the sheen of satin

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