- 1 the sun, the Sun [singular] the star that shines in the sky during the day and gives the earth heat and light the sun’s rays the rising/setting sun The sun was shining and birds were singing. The sun was just setting. A pale wintry sun shone through the clouds. CollocationsThe weatherGood weather be bathed in/bask in/be blessed with/enjoy bright/brilliant/glorious sunshine the sun shines/warms something/beats down (on something) the sunshine breaks/streams through something fluffy/wispy clouds drift across the sky a gentle/light/stiff/cool/warm/sea breeze blows in/comes in off the sea the snow crunches beneath/under somebody’s feet/bootsBad weather thick/dark/storm clouds form/gather/roll in/cover the sky/block out the sun the sky darkens/turns black a fine mist hangs in the air a dense/heavy/thick fog rolls in the rain falls/comes down (in buckets/sheets)/pours down snow falls/comes down/covers something the wind blows/whistles/howls/picks up/whips through something/sweeps across something strong/gale-force winds blow/gust (up to 80 mph) a storm is approaching/is moving inland/hits/strikes/rages thunder rolls/rumbles/sounds (forked/sheet) lightning strikes/hits/flashes a (blinding/snow) blizzard hits/strikes/blows/rages a tornado touches down/hits/strikes/destroys something/rips through something forecast/expect/predict rain/snow/a category-four hurricane (North American English) pour (down)/ (British English) pour (down) with rain get caught in/seek shelter from/escape the rain be covered/shrouded in mist/a blanket of fog be in for/brave/shelter from a/the storm hear rolling/distant thunder be battered/buffeted by strong winds (British English) be blowing a gale battle against/brave the elementsThe weather improves the sun breaks through the clouds the sky clears/brightens (up)/lightens (up) the clouds part/clear the rain stops/lets up/holds off the wind dies down the storm passes the mist/fog lifts/clears Wordfindersundaylight, eclipse, equinox, ray, rise, solar, solstice, the sun, twilight, the universe Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebright, brilliant, golden, … verb + sunblock, block out, blot out, … sun + verbclimb, come up, rise, … sun + noungod, worshipper, lounge, … prepositionin the sun, into the sun, out of the sun, … phraseseverything under the sun, exposure to the sun, the heat of the sun, … See full entry See related entries: The sun and the moon
- 2 (also the sun) [singular, uncountable] the light and heat from the sun synonym sunshine the warmth of the afternoon sun This room gets the sun in the mornings. We sat in the sun. The sun was blazing hot. Too much sun ages the skin. We did our best to keep out of the sun. They've booked a holiday in the sun (= in a place where it is warm and the sun shines a lot). Her face had obviously caught the sun (= become red or brown) on holiday. I was driving westwards and I had the sun in my eyes (= the sun was shining in my eyes). see also sunny Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebright, brilliant, golden, … verb + sunblock, block out, blot out, … sun + verbclimb, come up, rise, … sun + noungod, worshipper, lounge, … prepositionin the sun, into the sun, out of the sun, … phraseseverything under the sun, exposure to the sun, the heat of the sun, … See full entry See related entries: The sun and the moon
- 3[countable] (specialist) any star around which planets move Word OriginOld English sunne, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zon and German Sonne, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek hēlios and Latin sol.Extra examples Don’t sit in the sun too long. He was enjoying the feel of the sun on his back. It was getting cooler as the sun sank below the horizon. Just then, a watery sun broke through the clouds. On children, use a cream with a high sun protection factor. The clouds darkened, obliterating the sun. The distant mountains glowed in the light of the setting sun. The evening sun slanted through the window. The helmets were glinting in the sun. The north side of the garden never gets any sun. The setting sun cast long shadows over the landscape. The sun caught her dazzling copper hair. The sun climbed higher in the sky. The sun glinted on the blades. The sun moved slowly westward. The sun reflected off the water. The sun rises in the east. The sun sets in the west. The sun struck the steep blue slates of the roof. The sun warmed his face. The sun was up now, and strong. The sun went in and it started to rain. The wintry sun was already low in the sky. There is nothing new under the sun. They call Norway the land of the midnight sun. This plant likes a dryish soil in full sun. Try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Venus orbits the Sun in just under one Earth year. We did our best to keep out of the sun. We had discussions about everything under the sun. We went out into the sun. We were lying by the pool, soaking up the afternoon sun. We’ve booked a holiday in the sun. You’ve caught the sun. an afternoon of lazing under the warm sun with the sun in her eyes wrinkles caused by sun damage Her face had obviously caught the sun. They’re having a winter break in the sun. We sat in the warmth of the afternoon sun.Idioms
(saying) to make good use of opportunities, good conditions, etc. while they last
a position in which you are comfortable or have an advantage over other people
used to emphasize that you are talking about a very large number of things We talked about everything under the sun. I’ve been called all the names under the sun!
when the sun rises or sets I get up with the sun.
Check pronunciation: sun
