Word
shining
Phoneticsshin·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
UK/ʃˈaɪnɪŋ/
Definitions
01bright and glowing
A2 · Elementary
adj. giving off or reflecting a lot of light.
adj. emitting or reflecting light; characterized by brightness or radiance.
“The shining sun made the water look like silver.”
“The shining surface of the lake reflected the surrounding mountains with such clarity that the horizon line became almost indistinguishable.”
02excellent
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. being a very good or perfect example of something.
adj. distinguished by high merit or excellence; serving as an exemplary model.
“She is a shining example of how hard work leads to success.”
“The project stands as a shining achievement in urban planning, demonstrating how green spaces can be integrated into dense city environments.”
Synonyms
03a glow or gleam
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. a bright light that comes from something.
n. the quality or state of emitting light; a steady glow or radiance.
“The shining of the moon guided them through the dark forest.”
“The sudden shining of a distant beacon provided the only point of reference in the otherwise impenetrable coastal fog.”
Antonyms
Etymology
By surface analysis, shine + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
The word in film
The Shining · 1980 · Mystery
- Directed by:
- Stanley Kubrick
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Barry Nelson
Stanley Kubrick directed this famous horror story about a young boy with a special psychic ability. The title describes this supernatural power as a mental glow or light that allows him to see things from the past and future.
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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