sun

IPA/sʌn/
KK[sˈʌn]IPA/sʌn/

sun — noun

1. the enormous, glowing ball of hot gas in space that our world and neighbouring p

1.nounA1
Definition

the enormous, glowing ball of hot gas in space that our world and neighbouring planets circle, supplying heat and light to this planet every day.

Example

The sun rises in the east every morning over the village.

collocation: the sun rises / the sun sets

Without the sun, there would be no life on our planet.

modal + no life on our planet — cause/effect pattern

Common collocations
  • the sun rises
  • the sun sets
  • the sun shines
  • the sun comes up
  • the sun goes down
  • beneath the sun
Synonyms
  • star

    a broader category; 'sun' refers specifically to our local star, while 'star' covers all distant ones too

  • daystar

    rare, poetic — almost never used in modern everyday English

Antonyms
  • Earth

    the planet that orbits the sun, not a true antonym but commonly contrasted

  • moon

    the celestial body that orbits Earth, often contrasted with the sun in day/night contexts

Grammar Patterns

the sun + verb

in the sun

Usage Note

In scientific writing this sense is usually capitalised (the Sun), while in everyday writing lowercase (the sun) is more common.

Common Mistakes

The sun very hot yesterday.
The sun was very hot yesterday.
'sun' is a noun, not an adjective; a verb is always needed.

2. the light and warmth that reach the Earth's surface from the star in the sky.

2.nounA1
Definition

the light and warmth that reach the Earth's surface from the star in the sky.

Example

A grey cat slept in a patch of warm sun on the kitchen floor.

collocation: a patch of sun

The kitchen gets the morning sun, so it stays bright and cosy.

collocation: morning / afternoon / evening sun

Common collocations
  • in the sun
  • out of the sun
  • morning sun
  • afternoon sun
  • direct sun
  • fierce sun
  • a ray of sun
  • a patch of sun
Synonyms
  • sunshine

    warmer, more positive tone — often suggests pleasant, bright sunlight

  • sunlight

    slightly more formal; focuses on the light itself rather than the feeling of warmth

  • daylight

    broader — includes light from the sky, not only direct sun rays

Antonyms
  • shade

    area sheltered from direct sun rays

  • darkness

    absence of light entirely

  • shadow

    dark shape cast when something blocks the sun

Grammar Patterns

in the sun

the sun + verb of movement (come out, break through)

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable — never use a/an. It pairs naturally with verbs such as come out, break through, beat down, and pour in. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 refers to the light/warmth (what you feel), not the physical star (what you see in the sky).

Common Mistakes

I sat under the sun to get warm.
I sat in the sun to get warm.
When you enjoy sunlight, you sit 'in the sun', not 'under the sun'.

3. any star in the universe that has one or more planets moving around it, forming

3.nounB2
Definition

any star in the universe that has one or more planets moving around it, forming a planetary system.

Example

Astronomers have discovered a distant sun with three rocky planets.

collocation: a distant sun

Every sun in the galaxy may have worlds orbiting it.

Common collocations
  • distant sun
  • young sun
  • twin suns
  • sun with planets
  • alien sun
Synonyms
  • star

    the everyday word — any luminous celestial body; 'sun' in this sense adds the idea of planets around it

  • parent star

    technical term used in exoplanet research

Grammar Patterns

a(n) + adjective + sun

sun + of + [constellation/region]

Usage Note

This sense is almost exclusively used in astronomy and science fiction. In everyday conversation, 'star' is preferred unless the speaker wants to emphasise the presence of orbiting planets.

4. a person who brings great warmth, happiness, or positive energy to those around

4.nounB2
Definition

a person who brings great warmth, happiness, or positive energy to those around them, in a way that reminds others of the sun's brightness.

Example

Grandmother Hua was the sun of our family, always patient and full of laughter.

the sun of our [group] — metaphorical possessive pattern

In the classroom, little Mira is a real sun who cheers everyone up.

a real sun — intensifier pattern for metaphor

Common collocations
  • the sun of my life
  • our sun
  • a little sun
  • a true sun
Synonyms
  • light of my life

    a warmer, more intimate phrase — used for loved ones rather than admired people

  • ray of sunshine

    very common idiom for someone who makes others happy; slightly less intense than 'sun'

Antonyms
  • grouch

    informal — someone who is always unhappy or complaining

Grammar Patterns

the sun of + possessive noun

someone's sun

a little/true sun

Usage Note

Always used figuratively and complimentarily. Often appears with possessives (my sun, our sun, the sun of my life). This is a literary or affectionate usage — less common in casual conversation than other senses.

Common Mistakes

He is a sun shine.
He is a ray of sunshine.' or 'He is the sun of our team.
Learners sometimes blend 'sunshine' and 'sun' into the wrong phrase.
Idioms

make hay while the sun shines

idiom

To take advantage of a good situation before it ends.

Maya made hay while the sun shone and sold her paintings.

Shouldn't we make hay while the sun shines and invest now?

a place in the sun

idiom

A comfortable or successful position that gives you advantages over others.

After years of hard work, Diego finally found his place in the sun.

Every small business deserves a place in the sun.

under the sun

idiom

Used to emphasize that you are talking about a very large number of things.

We discussed every topic under the sun during the meeting.

Sara has tried every diet under the sun to lose weight.

with the sun

idiom

At the time when the sun rises or sets.

The farmers rise with the sun to tend their crops.

Aiden likes to go for a run with the sun every morning.

sun — verb

sun — abbreviation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Sun, sunshine, and sunlight all refer to the light or warmth coming from the sun, but they differ in tone and use. Sun (noun sense 2) is the simplest, most neutral word: 'a patch of sun', 'in the sun'. Sunshine adds a warm, positive feeling — it suggests bright, pleasant weather ('a day of sunshine'). Sunlight is slightly more objective and scientific, focusing on the light itself rather than the feeling of warmth ('sunlight contains vitamin D'). Daylight is broader: it includes light from the whole sky, not just direct rays from the sun ('open the curtains to let in some daylight'). In everyday speech, 'sun' and 'sunshine' are the most natural choices for describing a nice day, while 'sunlight' fits explanations and observations, and 'daylight' covers any time of day when it is light outside.

sunshine ↗sunlight ↗daylight ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the heat of the sun
  • a ray of sun
  • the glare of the sun
  • the first sun of spring

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The English word 'sun' comes from the Old English sunne, which traces back through Proto-Germanic *sunnǭ to the ancient Proto-Indo-European root *sóh₂wl̥, meaning 'the sun'. This same ancient root gave rise to the Latin sōl (source of Spanish sol, French soleil, Italian sole) and the Greek hēlios. In Old English, sunne was a feminine noun, and the sun was often personified as a goddess — a tradition that survives in some later poetry.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb