sunny
sunny
Pronunciation
First syllable (/ˈsʌn/):
/s/: voiceless alveolar sibilant
/ʌ/: near-open front unrounded vowel
/n/: alveolar nasal
Second syllable (/i/):
/i/: close front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
Adjective: sunny (base form, comparative: sunnier, superlative: sunniest)
Adverb: sunnily
Noun: sunniness (refers to the state or quality of being sunny)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition: Characterized by abundant sunshine; bright and clear due to the presence of the sun.
Synonyms: bright, radiant, clear, brilliant, fair, unclouded
Antonyms: cloudy, overcast, gloomy, dull, dark
Definition: (Figurative) Cheerful, optimistic, and full of good spirits; having a disposition that is pleasant and bright.
Synonyms: cheerful, jovial, happy, joyful, blithe, optimistic, positive, lighthearted
Antonyms: gloomy, melancholic, pessimistic, sullen, morose, dreary
Adverb
Definition: In a manner that is bright or with abundant sunshine (less common, usually "sunnily" is used for the figurative sense).
Synonyms: brightly, clearly
Antonyms: dully, dimly
Noun
Definition: The quality or state of being bright with sunshine, or of being cheerful and optimistic.
Synonyms: brightness, radiance, cheerfulness, optimism, gaiety, happiness
Antonyms: gloominess, dullness, pessimism, melancholy
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a sunny morning, and the air was crisp with the promise of autumn" (From The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, originally published 1911).
"She had a sunny disposition, always quick with a smile and a kind word, even in the toughest of times."
Newspapers:
"Forecasters predict a sunny and warm weekend across the region, ideal for outdoor activities" ( The Boston Globe).
"Despite the recent downturn, the company's CEO presented a remarkably sunny outlook for the coming fiscal year" (The Wall Street Journal).
Online Publications:
"10 Sunny Destinations for Your Next Winter Getaway" (Lonely Planet).
"The article offers a refreshingly sunny perspective on the future of renewable energy" (Grist).
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV: In the animated film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013), the song "La Da Dee" features the lyric "It's a sunny day, it's a happy day."
Music: The song "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles (released 1969) famously begins with the line, "Here comes the sun, little darlin', here comes the sun, I say it's all right." While not directly using "sunny," the theme is unequivocally about a "sunny" day.
Video Games: In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, characters often comment on the "sunny weather" in the game.
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we discuss the surprisingly sunny reception to the new policy changes" (NPR's Up First).
General Public Discourse:
"Let's hope for a sunny day for the picnic tomorrow." (Spoken conversation)
"She always has such a sunny personality; it's infectious." (Spoken conversation)
"What a sunny place to live!" (Comment on social media)
10 Quotes Using Sunny
"It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living." (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
"A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition." (William Arthur Ward)
"The Indian Summer of life should be a little sunny and a little sad, like the season, and infinite in wealth and depth of tone, but never hustled." (Henry Adams)
"If you only walk on sunny days you'll never reach your destination." (Paulo Coelho)
"I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days." (Henry David Thoreau)
"Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street." (Dorothy Fields)
"Some people are so much sunny to the square inch." (Walt Whitman)
"A stale article, if you dip it in a good, warm, sunny smile, will go off better than a fresh one that you've scowled upon." (Nathaniel Hawthorne)
"A sunny disposition is worth more than fortune." (Andrew Carnegie)
"Who cares about the clouds when we're together? Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather." (Dale Evans)
Etymology
The word "sunny" comes from the Old English word "sunnig," which simply meant "of the sun" or "exposed to the sun."
Its roots are quite straightforward! It's formed by taking the noun "sun" and adding the Old English suffix "-ig," which is similar to our modern English "-y." This suffix is used to form adjectives meaning "full of" or "characterized by." So, "sun" + "-ig" directly translates to "full of sun."
The first known uses of "sunny" in English, dating back to before the 12th century, generally referred to places or weather that were literally bright with sunshine. Over time, its meaning expanded to include the figurative sense of a cheerful or optimistic disposition, likely because bright, sunny days often bring feelings of happiness.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sunny
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "sunny":
Sunny side up: Refers to eggs fried on one side with the yolk still liquid.
On the sunny side of the street: To be in a fortunate or optimistic situation.
Sunny disposition: A cheerful and optimistic personality.
Sunny spells: Brief periods of sunshine, often mentioned in weather forecasts.
A sunny outlook: An optimistic or positive view of the future.
To look on the sunny side: To try to be optimistic about a situation.
Sunny day out: A pleasant day with a lot of sunshine.
Sunny weather: Conditions characterized by the presence of the sun and clear skies.
Sunny personality: A very cheerful and friendly character.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sunny from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
