bright and shiny share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. bright means “emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts”. shiny means “reflecting light”. bright is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈbɹaɪt/
1.adj.emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
“the sun was bright and hot”
2.adj.having strong or striking color
“bright dress”
3.adj.characterized by quickness and ease in learning
“some children are brighter in one subject than another”
/ˈʃaɪni/
1.adj.reflecting light
“glistening bodies of swimmers”
2.adj.having a shiny surface or coating
“glazed fabrics”
3.adj.made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
“bright silver candlesticks”
| bright | shiny | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbɹaɪt/ | /ˈʃaɪni/ |
| Said | brahyt | SHAHY-nee |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | adjective, adverb | adjective |
| Senses | 11 | 3 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | glistening, glossy, lustrous |
Full entry for bright · Full entry for shiny · More comparisons