sunshine

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See also: Sunshine and sun-shine

English

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Sunshine (1)

Alternative forms

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Etymology

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In the Coverdale Bible in 1535, in Genesis and Exodus about 1250 as Middle English sunnesine;[1] synchronically sun +‎ shine. Compare isolated Old English sunsċīn (“mirror”).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation: sun‧shine

Noun

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sunshine (usually uncountable, plural sunshines)

  1. The direct rays, light or warmth of the sun.
    Synonyms: sun, sunlight
    We were warmed by the bright sunshine.
    • 1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Job viij:[16–17], folio iij, verso, column 1:
      Oft tymes a thinge doth floꝛiſh, and men thynke that it maye abyde the Sonneſhyne: it ſhuteth foꝛth the bꝛaunches in his garden, it taketh many rotes, in ſo moch that it is like an houſe off ſtones.
    • 1648, Robert Herrick, “The Apparition of His Mistresse Calling Him to Elizium”, in Hesperides: Or, The Works both Humane & Divine […], London: […] John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, and are to be sold by Tho[mas] Hunt, […], →OCLC, page 240:
      And all the ſhrubs, vvith ſparkling ſpangles, ſhevv / Like Morning-Sun-ſhine tinsilling the devv.
    • 1976, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine”, performed by Roy Ayers Ubiquity:
      Sunshine, everybody loves the sunshine / Sunshine, folks get down in the sunshine / Sunshine, folks get brown in the sunshine
  2. A location on which the sun's rays fall.
    We moved out of the shade and into the sunshine.
    • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
      Out again into the sunshine by the wide mouth of the Green River, as the chart named the brook whose level stream scarce moved into the lake. A streak of blue shot up it between the banks, and a shrill pipe came back as the kingfisher hastened away.
  3. (figurative) Geniality or cheerfulness.
    I enjoyed the sunshine of her smile.
    • 1971, Bill Withers (lyrics and music), “Ain't No Sunshine”:
      Ain't no sunshine when she's gone / Only darkness every day
  4. A source of cheerfulness or joy.
    • 1972, Stevie Wonder (lyrics and music), “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”, in Talking Book:
      You are the sunshine of my life / That's why I'll always be around / You are the apple of my eye / Forever you'll stay in my heart
  5. The effect which the sun has when it lights and warms some place.
  6. (UK, Ireland) Friendly form of address often reserved for juniors.
    Alright sunshine, safe to cross now.
  7. (UK, Ireland) Ironic form of address used to an inferior or troublemaker.
    OK, sunshine, listen up and listen good. There's five vandalised telephone boxes out there and I know you're responsible.
  8. (humorous) Used to address someone who has just woken up and/or is very sleepy.
    Good morning, sunshine!
  9. (slang, uncountable, uncommon) Ellipsis of orange sunshine.

Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Adjective

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sunshine (not comparable)

  1. (chiefly US) Open to and permitting public access, especially with regard to activities that were previously closed-door or back-room meetings.
    Because of the sunshine law, we could go to the planning meeting.

Derived terms

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permitting public access

Translations

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References

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  1. ^ Chambers Dictionary of Etymology, Robert K. Barnhart (ed.), Chambers, 1988

Further reading

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