Shiny
/ˈʃaɪni/
adjectiveA2
Definition
Shiny describes something that has a surface which reflects light well, making it look bright or sparkling. It can refer to things like new shoes, clean metal, or wet surfaces that catch your eye because they look smooth and bright.
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See It in Action
Reflecting light with a smooth, bright surface
- •Her shoes were shiny after she polished them.
- •The shiny surface of the lake reflected the sun.
- •He wore a shiny watch that caught everyone's attention.
Having a fresh, clean, or new appearance
- •The car looked shiny and new after the wash.
- •She has shiny hair because she takes good care of it.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "shiny" like "bright," but "shiny" means the light comes back from a surface, not just light itself.
- ✓Picture a clean, polished apple or a new car that looks smooth and reflects sunlight.
- ✓It's the feeling when you see something sparkling and want to touch it because it looks fresh and clean.
- ✓Sounds like "SHINE-ee" → imagine a light shining on a diamond making it sparkle.
- ✓Remember the story of the Tin Man in "The Wizard of Oz"—his metal body is shiny because it reflects light.
- ✓NOT like "glow" (which means to make light from inside), "shiny" means reflecting light from outside.
- ✓NOT like "dull" (which is the opposite), shiny things look bright and smooth.
- ✓NOT like "bright" alone, because bright can mean strong light, but shiny means the surface reflects light.
Try Other Words
- •Glossy: smooth and shining surface (Use when talking about very smooth, shiny surfaces like magazines or polished wood)
- •Sparkling: shining with small flashes of light (Use when something shines with small bright points, like stars or clean water)
- •Polished: made smooth and shiny by rubbing (Use when emphasizing the action that made something shiny)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "shin(e)" + suffix "-y" (meaning "having the quality of")
- •Etymology: From Old English "scīn" meaning "brightness, light," with "-y" added to form an adjective
- •Historical development: Used since early English to describe things that reflect light or look bright
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe objects, surfaces, hair, or anything that looks bright and smooth because it reflects light
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of things around you are shiny, and why do you think they look that way?
•How does something being shiny affect the way people feel about it or want to use it?
Fill in the blanks
1.After cleaning, the table was so shiny that it ___ the light from the window.
2.She wore a shiny necklace that made her look ___ at the party.
3.Unlike a dull surface, a shiny one reflects light ___ and clearly.
4.The car looked shiny because it had been ___ carefully.
5.When something is shiny, it usually has a ___ surface that feels smooth to touch.
6.Shiny objects often attract attention because they ___ light.
7.If a surface is not shiny, it might look ___ or rough instead.