student asking question

What's the main difference between "glow" and "shine"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Glow" means that the light is illuminating from something as if heated. Whereas "shine" is light that comes from something or is about the surface of an object. They can sometimes both mean to emit light. In this case, if something is "shining", it's usually more intense than a "glow". Ex: There was a warm glow around the fire that night, and the stars were shining. Ex: My phone screen was shining so bright in my face. Ex: Her eyes were glowing. Ex: Natalie's shoes were so shiny.

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