shining

adjective

shin·​ing ˈshī-niŋ 

1

: emitting or reflecting light

2

: bright and often splendid in appearance : resplendent

3

: possessing a distinguished quality : illustrious

4

: full of sunshine

Synonyms

• beaming
• bedazzling
• bright
• brilliant
• candescent
• clear
• dazzling
• effulgent
• fulgent
• glowing
• incandescent
• lambent
• lucent
• lucid
• luminous
• lustrous
• radiant
• refulgent
• sheeny
• shiny
• splendid

Examples of shining in a Sentence

Her latest movie is a shining example of what a film can be.

the shining moon formed a nice backdrop for our outdoor concert

Recent Examples on the Web

Before this iteration of Shelley's tale, the first modern version of the myth, there hadn't been a horror film that so graphically indulged in gore and violence, in bright and shining color photography no less. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

We’re devastated by the loss of our beautiful, sweet, kind, bright and shining star. —Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024

Even during the 2003 crisis over Iraq, a supposedly shining moment of European resistance, 14 EU members actively supported the United States, including Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. —Jeremy Shapiro, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2018

For a brief and shining moment (gather ’round now, children), the Emmys played an enormous part in television’s modern efflorescence. —Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing shining

• knight in shining armor

Kids Definition

shining

adjective

shin·​ing

ˈshī-niŋ

1

: giving forth or reflecting a steady light : glowing

2

: outstanding sense 2

a shining example

shiningly adverb