Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Related Topic Clusters

Creative Writing Scene Language

Word choices for sensory detail, pacing control, and emotional texture.

Glimmer

//ˈɡlɪmə(ɹ)// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A faint light; a dim glow. countable, uncountable

    "The glimmer of the fireflies was pretty to watch."

  2. 2
    a slight suggestion or vague understanding wordnet
  3. 3
    A flash of light. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    a flash of light (especially reflected light) wordnet
  5. 5
    A faint or remote possibility (as it were a flash of light). countable, uncountable

    "a glimmer of hope"

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    Mica. dated, uncountable
  2. 7
    The opposite to a trigger; micro-moments of regulation that foster feelings of well-being countable, neologism, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To shine with a faint, unsteady light. intransitive

    "the glimmering dawn    a glimmering lamp"

  2. 2
    shine brightly, like a star or a light wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English glimeren, glemeren (“to glimmer”), equivalent to glim (“to shine”) + -er (frequentative suffix). Cognate with German Low German glimmern (“to glimmer”), German glimmern (“to glimmer”), Danish glimre (“to glimmer”), Swedish glimra (“to glimmer”). Doublet of glimpse. Sense 5 was coined in the 2020s in analogy to trigger.

Etymology 2

From Middle English glimeren, glemeren (“to glimmer”), equivalent to glim (“to shine”) + -er (frequentative suffix). Cognate with German Low German glimmern (“to glimmer”), German glimmern (“to glimmer”), Danish glimre (“to glimmer”), Swedish glimra (“to glimmer”). Doublet of glimpse. Sense 5 was coined in the 2020s in analogy to trigger.

See also for "glimmer"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: glimmer