# shine

/ˈʃaɪn/ (US) · /ʃˈaɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shine
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to emit light

verb · CEFR A2

to give off light or glow brightly.

For teachers: to emit light or be bright by reflection of light.

- The sun began to shine through the clouds after the storm passed.
- The lighthouse lantern continued to shine across the bay, providing a steady guide for the returning fishing fleet.

### 2. to excel

verb · CEFR B2

to be very good at something or to stand out because of your talent.

For teachers: to be eminent or distinguished; to exhibit brilliant intellectual or creative powers in a specific field.

- She really started to shine once she joined the school drama club.
- While he struggled with written exams, he truly began to shine during the practical laboratory sessions where his technical skills were evident.

### 3. to point a light

verb · CEFR B1

to aim a light, like a flashlight, in a certain direction.

For teachers: to direct the light from a source, such as a torch or lamp, toward a specific object or area.

- The guard shined his flashlight into the dark corner of the warehouse.
- The rescue team shined their powerful spotlights onto the cliff face to locate the stranded climbers before nightfall.

Usage: In this sense, the past tense is usually 'shined' rather than 'shone'.

### 4. to polish

verb · CEFR B1

to rub something until it becomes smooth and bright.

For teachers: to make an object smooth and bright by rubbing or polishing, often with a chemical agent.

- He shined his shoes until he could see his reflection in them.
- The butler shined the silver cutlery daily to ensure it met the exacting standards of the household.

Usage: The past tense for this sense is always 'shined'.

### 5. brightness

noun · CEFR B1

the bright light that comes from the sun or a smooth surface.

For teachers: the quality of brightness from a source of light or the reflection from a polished surface.

- The wax gave the old wooden table a beautiful, healthy shine.
- The morning sun had a particular shine that made the dew on the grass look like scattered diamonds.

### 6. a liking for someone

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

to suddenly start liking someone very much.

For teachers: a sudden or spontaneous liking or fancy for a person.

- The boss really took a shine to the new intern and gave her more responsibility.
- It was clear that the elderly cat had taken a shine to the visitor, as it rarely approached strangers so readily.

Usage: Almost always used in the phrase 'to take a shine to someone'.

## Examples

- The new wax gives the car a beautiful shine.
- After hours of polishing, the old wooden table finally had a deep, warm shine that brightened the room.
- The morning sun cast a brilliant shine across the lake, making the water look like a sheet of polished silver.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.