Reflect vs. Shine

Reflect vs. Shine — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Reflect and Shine

Reflectverb

(transitive) To bend back (light, etc.) from a surface.

A mirror reflects the light that shines on it.

Shineverb

(intransitive) To emit light.

Reflectverb

(intransitive) To be bent back (light, etc.) from a surface.

The moonlight reflected from the surface of water.

Shineverb

(intransitive) To reflect light.

Reflectverb

(transitive) To mirror, or show the image of something.

The shop window reflected his image as he walked past.

Shineverb

(intransitive) To distinguish oneself; to excel.

My nephew tried other sports before deciding on football, which he shone at right away, quickly becoming the star of his school team.
ADVERTISEMENT

Reflectverb

(intransitive) To be mirrored.

His image reflected from the shop window as he walked past.

Shineverb

(intransitive) To be effulgent in splendour or beauty.

Reflectverb

(transitive) To agree with; to closely follow.

Entries in English dictionaries aim to reflect common usage.

Shineverb

(intransitive) To be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished; to exhibit brilliant intellectual powers.

Reflectverb

(transitive) To give evidence of someone's or something's character etc.

The team's victory reflects the Captain's abilities.The teacher's ability reflects well on the school.

Shineverb

(intransitive) To be immediately apparent.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reflectverb

(intransitive) To think seriously; to ponder or consider.

People do that sort of thing every day, without ever stopping to reflect on the consequences.

Shineverb

(transitive) To create light with (a flashlight, lamp, torch, or similar).

I shone my light into the darkness to see what was making the noise.

Reflectverb

manifest or bring back;

This action reflects his true beliefs

Shineverb

(transitive) To cause to shine, as a light.

Reflectverb

to throw or bend back or reflect (from a surface);

A mirror in the sun can reflect light into a person's eyesSound is reflected well in this auditorium

Shineverb

To make bright; to cause to shine by reflected light.

in hunting, to shine the eyes of a deer at night by throwing a light on them

Reflectverb

reflect deeply on a subject;

I mulled over the events of the afternoonphilosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of yearsThe scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate

Shineverb

(transitive) To cause (something) to shine; put a shine on (something); polish (something).

He shined my shoes until they were polished smooth and gleaming.

Reflectverb

be bright by reflecting or casting light;

Drive carefully--the wet road reflects

Shineverb

To polish a cricket ball using saliva and one’s clothing.

Reflectverb

give evidence of a certain behavior;

His lack of interest in the project reflects badly on him

Shinenoun

Brightness from a source of light.

Reflectverb

give evidence of the quality of;

The mess in his dorm room reflects on the student

Shinenoun

Brightness from reflected light.

Shinenoun

Excellence in quality or appearance.

Shinenoun

Shoeshine.

Shinenoun

Sunshine.

Shinenoun

(slang) Moonshine.

Shinenoun

(cricket) The amount of shininess on a cricket ball, or on each side of the ball.

Shinenoun

(slang) A liking for a person; a fancy.

She's certainly taken a shine to you.

Shinenoun

A caper; an antic; a row.

Shinenoun

the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light

Shineverb

be bright by reflecting or casting light;

Drive carefully--the wet road reflects

Shineverb

emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light;

The sun shone bright that dayThe fire beamed on their faces

Shineverb

be shiny, as if wet;

His eyes were glistening

Shineverb

be distinguished or eminent;

His talent shines

Shineverb

be clear and obvious;

A shining example

Shineverb

especially of the complexion: show a strong bright color, such as red or pink;

Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna

Shineverb

throw or flash the light of (a lamp, etc.);

Shine the light on that window, please

Shineverb

touch or seem as if touching visually or audibly;

Light fell on her faceThe sun shone on the fieldsThe light struck the golden necklaceA strange sound struck my ears

Shineverb

experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion;

She was beaming with joyHer face radiated with happiness

Shineverb

(of surfaces) make shine;

shine the silver, pleasepolish my shoes