Shiner

A shiner is a colloquial term, primarily in American English, for a black eye. It's a bruise around the eye, typically resulting from a blow or impact that causes blood to pool under the skin. The discoloration, ranging from purple and black to yellow and green as it heals, is due to broken blood vessels. Often, the swelling accompanies the discoloration. The term carries a certain informal and sometimes playful connotation, hinting at a minor injury rather than a severe one.

Shiner meaning with examples

• After the unexpected tumble during the game, little Timmy sported a shiner, courtesy of an accidental collision. His teammates gently teased him about the black eye, but were also understanding about his injuries, and that he was a bit shaken. The shiner quickly became the talk of the playground.
• The detective's investigation revealed a suspect with a shiner, consistent with the victim's account of the scuffle. The police were able to investigate the man and discover that he was an acquaintance of the victim and that the crime was committed. It was easy to investigate this case.
• He claimed to have earned his shiner during a clumsy mishap while repairing a broken shelf. Skeptical, she squinted at him, but his seemingly innocent demeanor made her believe. She was not as smart as the detective from the previous example.
• Despite the embarrassing shiner she woke up with, Sarah refused to cancel her date. With a little bit of makeup and a clever hairstyle, she managed to mask it. She wanted to avoid causing embarrassment on the first date.