Sun: meaning, definitions and examples

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sun

[sʌn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

weather

The star around which the Earth orbits, providing light and heat to the Earth.

Synonyms

daystar, sol, star.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sun	Common and everyday term used to refer to the star at the center of our solar system. Used in scientific, casual, and literary contexts. The sun is shining brightly today We'll go to the beach to enjoy the sun
star	General term for any luminous celestial body similar to the sun, used commonly in both scientific and everyday contexts. The night sky is filled with stars Our sun is just one of many stars in the universe
sol	Scientific and formal term, often used in astronomical contexts or science fiction. Sol can also denote the sun when distinguishing our sun from other stars. The third planet from Sol is Earth In our solar system, Sol is just one of many stars in the Milky Way
daystar	Literary or poetic term, often used in older texts or poetry to describe the sun. Rarely used in modern conversation. The daystar rose above the horizon, casting its golden light

Examples of usage

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
It's important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

astronomy

A luminous celestial body around which a planetary system revolves.

Synonyms

daystar, sol, star.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sun	Commonly used in everyday language to refer to the star at the center of our solar system that gives us light and warmth. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
star	A general term used to describe any star in the universe, not specifically our sun. There are billions of stars in our galaxy. At night, you can see stars shining in the sky.
daystar	An archaic or poetic term often used in literature and poetry to describe the sun. The daystar ascended, casting golden rays across the landscape.
sol	A more formal or scientific term for the sun, derived from Latin. Commonly used in astronomy. The planet Mars has days called sols, which are slightly longer than Earth's days. Our star, Sol, is classified as a G-type main-sequence star.

Examples of usage

Our solar system consists of the sun, eight planets, and various other celestial bodies.
The sun is a main-sequence star.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

personification

A personification of the sun in mythology, typically depicted as a deity.

Synonyms

Apollo, Helios, Ra.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sun	Everyday conversation, scientific discussions, and general usage. Commonly used to describe the star at the center of our solar system. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Sunlight is essential for plants to perform photosynthesis.
Apollo	Mythology, especially Greek mythology. Refers to the Greek god associated with the sun, music, and prophecy. In Greek mythology, Apollo drives his chariot across the sky, bringing daylight. The temple dedicated to Apollo at Delphi was a center of wisdom in ancient Greece.
Ra	Mythology, particularly ancient Egyptian. Refers to the Egyptian sun god and one of the most important deities in their pantheon. Ra was often depicted as a man with the head of a falcon, crowned with a solar disk. The ancient Egyptians believed that Ra sailed across the sky during the day in his solar boat.
Helios	Mythology, specifically ancient Greek. Refers to the Titan god of the sun. According to the legend, Helios drove his golden chariot across the sky daily. The Colossus of Rhodes was an enormous statue of Helios.

Examples of usage

In ancient mythology, Apollo was often associated with the sun.
The sun god Ra was worshipped in ancient Egypt.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'sun' comes from the Old English term 'sunne', which is related to similar words in other languages like 'Sonne' in German.
Its Proto-Germanic root is '*sunnō', which possibly relates to the Latin word 'sol', showing a long history of sun-related terms across cultures.

Science

The sun makes up about 99.86% of the solar system's mass, meaning it's the heaviest object, holding the planets in orbit due to its gravity.
It generates energy through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, producing immense amounts of energy and light.
The surface temperature of the sun is around 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit), while its core can reach about 15 million degrees Celsius (27 million degrees Fahrenheit).

Culture

Many cultures have deities representing the sun, such as Ra in ancient Egypt and Helios in ancient Greece, symbolizing the sun's importance in human life.
In various traditions, the sun is celebrated in festivals, like the Summer Solstice, marking the longest day of the year and symbolizing renewal and fertility.

Literature

The sun often symbolizes hope and life in poems and stories, representing the idea of a new beginning, as seen in works by authors like Shakespeare.
In many folktales, the sun is depicted as a character that brings joy, warmth, or wisdom, influencing the plot and guiding heroes on their journeys.

Psychology

Exposure to sunlight can boost mood by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which is linked to happiness.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to changes in seasons and levels of sunlight, showing how daylight impacts our emotions.

Translations

Translations of the word "sun" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sol

🇮🇳 सूरज

🇩🇪 Sonne

🇮🇩 matahari

🇺🇦 сонце

🇵🇱 słońce

🇯🇵 太陽 (たいよう)

🇫🇷 soleil

🇪🇸 sol

🇹🇷 güneş

🇰🇷 태양 (taeyang)

🇸🇦 شمس (shams)

🇨🇿 slunce

🇸🇰 slnko

🇨🇳 太阳 (tàiyáng)

🇸🇮 sonce

🇮🇸 sól

🇰🇿 күн (kün)

🇬🇪 მზე (mze)

🇦🇿 günəş

🇲🇽 sol

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,377, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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1379 assessment
1380 traditional
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