Bright with sunshine; cheerful and optimistic in temperament or outlook.
From 'sun' plus the suffix '-y,' following the Old English pattern of forming adjectives. The metaphorical use for cheerful disposition dates to the 16th century, reflecting the universal human association between sunlight and positive emotions.
The connection between sunshine and happiness appears to be more than metaphorical—scientists have discovered that sunlight actually triggers the release of serotonin in the brain, explaining why 'sunny' personalities and sunny weather both lift our spirits. Seasonal Affective Disorder demonstrates how literal this connection can be for some people.
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