1
a
: a bright or shining condition : brightness
b
: a subdued glitter approaching but short of optical reflection
c
: a lustrous surface imparted to textiles through finishing processes or use of shiny yarns
2
: a textile exhibiting notable sheen
Synonyms of sheen
Examples of sheen in a Sentence
Noun
Her hair has a sheen to it.
polished the metal until it had an even sheen
Recent Examples on the Web
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
The Cicy Bell Midi Skirt stands out with its fluid silhouette and subtle sheen, while details like lace trim elevate it even further.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Taylor Jean Stephan, Allure, 14 Apr. 2026
There’s a painterly look to the image, rather than the typical slop-style sickly sheen, but the AI origins are still unmistakable.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Eyuel Tafesse, room operations manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, finishes by lightly buffing cabinets, desks, and drawers to create a soft sheen, often using a polish with a subtle lemon scent that makes the room feel warmer.
—Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sheen
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Adjective
Choose watermelons with a natural sheen, vibrant color, a creamy yellow spot, and a hollow sound when tapped.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
The Cicy Bell Midi Skirt stands out with its fluid silhouette and subtle sheen, while details like lace trim elevate it even further.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Algae extract delivers a concentrated dose of minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, and B-vitamins restore body, sheen, and texture to strands dulled by damage.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, Allure, 14 Apr. 2026
There’s a painterly look to the image, rather than the typical slop-style sickly sheen, but the AI origins are still unmistakable.
—Cath Virginia, The Verge, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Goldbug ideology has received an intellectual sheen from places like George Mason University, a libertarian stronghold, where the Koch brothers have invested millions of dollars into research, including on gold and cryptocurrency.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Eyuel Tafesse, room operations manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, finishes by lightly buffing cabinets, desks, and drawers to create a soft sheen, often using a polish with a subtle lemon scent that makes the room feel warmer.
—Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sheen
Cite this Entry
“Sheen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheen. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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