sunshine

UK: /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/ US: /ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn/ ,(sun′shīn′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sun•shine /ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn/   n. [uncountable]

1. the shining of the sun;
   the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.
2. a place where the direct rays of the sun fall:
   out in the sunshine.

adj. [before a noun]

3. Lawmaking of or denoting a law requiring a government agency to open its official meetings and records to the public.

sun•shin•y, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sun•shine  (sun′shīn′), n. 

1. the shining of the sun;
   direct light of the sun.
2. brightness or radiance;
   cheerfulness or happiness.
3. a source of cheer or happiness.
4. the effect of the sun in lighting and heating a place.
5. a place where the direct rays of the sun fall.

adj. 

6. of or pertaining to sunshine laws:
   sunshine rules.
7. fair-weather (def. 2).

• 1200–50; Middle English sunnesin; see sun, shine

sun′shine′less, adj. 
sun′shin′y, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sunshine / ˈsʌnˌʃaɪn/ noun

1. the light received directly from the sun
2. the warmth from the sun
3. a sunny area
4. a light-hearted or ironic term of address

ˈsunˌshiny adjective