Shining vs. Shinning — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 8, 2023
"Shining" is commonly used to describe something that emits or reflects light. "Shinning" refers to climbing by gripping with the legs or the act of striking the shin.
Difference Between Shining and Shinning
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Shining" is a term widely used to describe the emission or reflection of light, often in a bright and vivid manner. On the other hand, "shinning" is a less common term that typically refers to climbing, particularly by using the legs to grip onto a surface, or to the act of hitting someone's shin.
The word "shining" can also convey metaphoric meanings such as excelling in some area or demonstrating a particular skill or quality. "Shinning" doesn't really have metaphorical applications; it is much more literal and relates to a specific physical activity or action.
"Shining" is the present participle of the verb "shine," and can also be used as an adjective. "Shinning" is the present participle of the verb "shin," which is much less commonly used in American English. However, both can be used as gerunds.
In summary, "shining" and "shinning" may look similar and are sometimes confused due to their phonetic likeness, but they have vastly different meanings. One deals primarily with light and brilliance, and the other with a specific physical action involving the legs or shins.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Emitting light
Climbing
ADVERTISEMENT
Part of Speech
Verb/Adjective
Verb
Metaphorical Use
Yes
No
Commonality
More common
Less common
Gerund Form
"Shining" is shining
"Shinning" is shinning
Compare with Definitions
Shining
Shining refers to emitting light.
The stars were shining brightly in the sky.
Shinning
Shinning refers to climbing by gripping with the legs.
He was shinning up the tree.
Shining
Shining means reflecting light.
Her jewelry was shining in the sunlight.
Shinning
Shinning denotes a bruise or wound on the shin.
He got a painful shinning while hiking.
Shining
Shining can describe excelling or standing out.
He was the shining star of the team.
Shinning
Shinning describes the act of scraping the shin.
She was shinning her leg against the rough bark.
Shining
Shining can indicate being conspicuously brilliant.
The speech was a shining example of eloquence.
Shinning
Shinning means striking the shin.
He was shinning the ball in soccer practice.
Shining
Shining can signify being polished or smooth.
After hours of work, the floor was shining.
Shinning
Shinning refers to moving quickly up or down.
He was shinning down the rope in the gym.
Shining
Giving out or reflecting bright light
A shining expanse of water
Shinning
The front part of the leg below the knee and above the ankle.
Shining
Brilliant or excellent at something
He has set a shining example with his model behaviour
Shinning
The shinbone.
Shining
To emit light.
Shinning
A cut of meat from the lower foreleg of beef cattle.
Shining
To reflect light; glint or glisten.
Shinning
To climb (a rope or pole, for example) by gripping and pulling alternately with the hands and legs.
Shining
To distinguish oneself in an activity or a field; excel.
Shinning
To kick or hit in the shins.
Shining
To be immediately apparent
Delight shone in her eyes.
Shinning
To climb something by shinning it.
Shining
To aim or cast the beam or glow of (a light).
Shinning
To move quickly on foot.
Shining
Past tense and past participle shined To make glossy or bright by polishing.
Shinning
Present participle of shin
Shining
Brightness from a source of light; radiance.
Shining
Brightness from reflected light; luster.
Shining
A shoeshine.
Shining
Excellence in quality or appearance; splendor.
Shining
Fair weather
Rain or shine.
Shining
Shines(Informal) Pranks or tricks.
Shining
(Slang) Whiskey; moonshine.
Shining
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a black person.
Shining
Emitting light.
Shining
Reflecting light.
Shining
Having a high polish or sheen.
Shining
Having exceptional merit.
A shining example
Shining
Present participle of shine
Shining
A bright emission of light; a gleam.
Shining
Emitting light, esp. in a continuous manner; radiant; as, shining lamps; also, bright by the reflection of light; as, shining armor.
Shining
Splendid; illustrious; brilliant; distinguished; conspicious; as, a shining example of charity.
Shining
Having the surface smooth and polished; - said of leaves, the surfaces of shells, etc.
True paradise . . . inclosed with shining rock.
Some in a brilliant buckle bind her waist,Some round her neck a circling light display.
His sparkling blade about his head he blest.
Shining
Emission or reflection of light.
Shining
The work of making something shine by polishing it;
The shining of shoes provided a meager living
Shining
Marked by exceptional merit;
Had shining virtues and few faults
A shining example
Shining
Made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow;
Bright silver candlesticks
A burnished brass knocker
She brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves
Rows of shining glasses
Shiny black patents
Shining
Abounding with sunlight;
A bright sunny day
One shining norming
When it is warm and shiny
Shining
Reflecting light;
Glistening bodies of swimmers
The horse's glossy coat
Lustrous auburn hair
Saw the moon like a shiny dime on a deep blue velvet carpet
Shining white enamel
Common Curiosities
What does Shining mean?
Shining usually refers to emitting or reflecting light.
Is Shinning a verb or an adjective?
Shinning is mainly used as a verb.
Does Shining have a metaphorical meaning?
Yes, it can signify excelling or standing out.
What does Shinning mean?
Shinning primarily means climbing by gripping with the legs or hitting the shin.
Is Shining the same as Shinning?
No, they have different meanings and uses.
Can Shining and Shinning be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably due to their distinct meanings.
Is Shinning related to climbing or physical activity?
Yes, it mainly refers to climbing or hitting the shin.
Is Shining commonly used?
Yes, it's a common word with various uses.
Does Shinning have a metaphorical meaning?
No, it's generally used in a literal sense.
Is Shining a verb or an adjective?
It can be both a verb and an adjective.
What is the root verb for Shining?
The root verb is "shine."
Is Shining related to light?
Yes, it primarily deals with light emission or reflection.
Is Shinning commonly used?
No, it's less common and mainly used in specific contexts.
What is the root verb for Shinning?
The root verb is "shin."
Can Shinning refer to an injury?
Yes, it can refer to a bruise or wound on the shin.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Canoer vs. Canoeist
Next Comparison
Converse vs. InverseAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
