Word
sheen
US/ˈʃin/
UK/ʃˈiːn/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a soft, smooth shine on the surface of something. You often see this on healthy hair, clean silk, or polished wood.
n. a soft, lustrous glow or surface reflection. Often associated with materials that have a natural or polished brightness rather than a harsh glare.
Examples
“The cat's black fur has a healthy sheen.”
“After hours of polishing, the antique table finally regained its deep, mahogany sheen.”
“The moonlight cast a silvery sheen across the surface of the lake, illuminating the ripples created by the evening breeze.”
Examples
simple
“The cat's black fur has a healthy sheen.”
contextual
“After hours of polishing, the antique table finally regained its deep, mahogany sheen.”
complex
“The moonlight cast a silvery sheen across the surface of the lake, illuminating the ripples created by the evening breeze.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' or modified by adjectives describing texture like 'metallic' or 'silky'.
Real-World Examples
“This leads to a lot of unnecessary backtracking and, with every repeat visit, those carefully staged scenes lose some of their sheen.” “Open wide … Photograph: Hannah Cauhépé/The Guardian When I arrived at the clinic a few days later, my hands were clammy and my forehead was covered in a sheen of cold sweat.” “What it looks like : Darker brown, slight sheen of oil beginning to appear on the surface.” “A new job, apartment or relationship can all come with a sheen of excitement.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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