shining Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
    polishing.
    • the shining of shoes provided a meager living
    • every Sunday he gave his car a good polishing
  2. verb be bright by reflecting or casting light
    reflect; shine.
    • Drive carefully--the wet road reflects
  3. verb emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light
    shine; beam.
    • The sun shone bright that day
    • The fire beamed on their faces
  4. verb be shiny, as if wet
    shine; glint; glitter; glisten; gleam.
    • His eyes were glistening
  5. verb be distinguished or eminent
    shine.
    • His talent shines
  6. verb be clear and obvious
    shine.
    • A shining example
  7. verb have a complexion with a strong bright color, such as red or pink
    shine; beam; radiate; glow.
    • Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna
  8. verb throw or flash the light of (a lamp)
    shine.
    • Shine the light on that window, please
  9. verb touch or seem as if touching visually or audibly
    shine; strike; fall.
    • Light fell on her face
    • The sun shone on the fields
    • The light struck the golden necklace
    • A strange sound struck my ears
  10. verb experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion
    shine; beam; radiate; glow.
    • She was beaming with joy
    • Her face radiated with happiness
  11. verb make (a surface) shine
    shine; polish; smooth; smoothen.
    • shine the silver, please
    • polish my shoes
  12. verb climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
    shin; shinny; skin; sputter; clamber; scramble; struggle.
  13. adjective satellite marked by exceptional merit
    • had shining virtues and few faults
    • a shining example
  14. adjective satellite made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
    bright; burnished; shiny; lustrous.
    • bright silver candlesticks
    • a burnished brass knocker
    • she brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves
    • rows of shining glasses
    • shiny black patents
  15. adjective satellite reflecting light
    lustrous; glistening; sheeny; glossy; shiny.
    • glistening bodies of swimmers
    • the horse's glossy coat
    • lustrous auburn hair
    • saw the moon like a shiny dime on a deep blue velvet carpet
    • shining white enamel

WordNet

Shin"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Emitting light, esp. in a continuous manner; radiant; as, shining lamps; also, bright by the reflection of light; as, shining armor. "Fish . . . with their fins and shining scales." Milton.
  2. Splendid; illustrious; brilliant; distinguished; conspicious; as, a shining example of charity.
  3. Having the surface smooth and polished; -- said of leaves, the surfaces of shells, etc. Syn. -- Glistening; bright; radiant; resplendent; effulgent; lustrous; brilliant; glittering; splendid; illustrious. -- Shining, Brilliant, Sparking. Shining describes the steady emission of a strong light, or the steady reflection of light from a clear or polished surface. Brilliant denotes a shining of great brightness, but with gleams or flashes. Sparkling implies a fitful, intense shining from radiant points or sparks, by which the eye is dazzled. The same distinctions obtain when these epithets are figuratively applied. A man of shining talents is made conspicious by possessing them; if they flash upon the mind with a peculiarly striking effect, we call them brilliant; if his brilliancy is marked by great vivacity and occasional intensity, he is sparkling.
    True paradise . . . inclosed with shining rock. Milton.
    Some in a brilliant buckle bind her waist, Some round her neck a circling light display. Gay.
    His sparkling blade about his head he blest. Spenser.
Shin"ing noun
Definitions
  1. Emission or reflection of light.

Webster 1913