sunshine
Americannoun
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the shining of the sun; direct light of the sun.
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brightness or radiance; cheerfulness or happiness.
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a source of cheer or happiness.
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the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.
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a place where the direct rays of the sun fall.
adjective
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of or relating to sunshine laws.
sunshine rules.
noun
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the light received directly from the sun
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the warmth from the sun
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a sunny area
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a light-hearted or ironic term of address
Other Word Forms
- sunshineless adjective
- sunshiny adjective
Etymology
Origin of sunshine
Explanation
Sunshine is the light that comes from the sun. On a clear, cloudless spring day, you can go outside and enjoy the sunshine. Scientifically, sunshine or sunlight is the radiation that the sun gives off. You can describe any light or warmth you observe from the sun as sunshine: "Look at the sunshine sparkling on the lake this morning!" Figuratively, the word is also used for cheerfulness, warmth, and happiness: "It's all sunshine and sing-alongs in the kindergarten classroom, but fourth grade is totally different."
Vocabulary lists containing sunshine
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An area of cloud will move eastwards across the UK during Thursday bringing sporadic outbreaks of rain - with a mix of sunshine and showers following from the west.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
Clint Carter was enjoying the sunshine and gentle rocking of the boat when a 30-pound fish leapt out of the Louisiana water and smashed into his chest.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
A California-based startup called Reflect Orbital says that reflecting sunshine on places during times of darkness could charge up solar panels, grow crops and replace urban lighting.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
A serpent might slither out during the winter if there’s a warm spell to get a bit of sunshine, said Greg Pauly, curator of herpetology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
As our train chugged along through Indiana and across Ohio, the sunshine smiling down upon us, I couldn’t stop the butterflies from batting around in my stomach.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
