glance
1to look quickly or briefly.
to gleam or flash: a silver brooch glancing in the sunlight.
to strike a surface or object obliquely, especially so as to bounce off at an angle (often followed by off): The arrow glanced off his shield.
to allude briefly to a topic or subject in passing (usually followed by at).
to cast a glance or brief look at; catch a glimpse of.
to cast or reflect, as a gleam.
to throw, hit, kick, shoot, etc. (something) so that it glances off a surface or object.
a quick or brief look.
a gleam or flash of light, especially reflected light.
a deflected movement or course; an oblique rebound.
Digital Technology. information on an electronic screen that can be understood quickly or at a glance: Get news and weather glances on your phone.Tap anywhere on a glance to open the app.
Cricket. a stroke in which the batsman deflects the ball with the bat, as to leg.
Archaic. a passing reference or allusion; insinuation.
Origin of glance
1synonym study For glance
Other words for glance
Words that may be confused with glance
- glance , glimpse
Other definitions for glance (2 of 2)
any of various minerals having a luster that indicates a metallic nature.
Origin of glance
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use glance in a sentence
He likes when the sun glances off it from the top, because it looks like the black marlin.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHitchcock glances at it and says, “Let's send it on up to the front office.”
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEach time he mentions a story point or repeats an exchange of dialogue, he glances up to see if she's smiling.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOur driver glances at us in the rearview mirror and nods before dropping the faded red Toyota Hilux into first gear.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe portly, balding Sabah, a father of two, glances nervously at the television.
Their glances met, she holding him always at arm's length by that grip upon his shoulders, a grip that was firm and nervous.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniHilda impetuously turned her head; their glances met for an instant, in suspicion, challenge, animosity.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettThere was a longing light in his eyes and a look of appeal whenever our glances met.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydThis serves the double purpose of shutting out the glances of the curious and keeping out the cold air.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeHere are a pair who are untroubled by curious glances; the nearer houses of the village are quite close by.
Bastien Lepage | Fr. Crastre
British Dictionary definitions for glance (1 of 2)
/ (ɡlɑːns) /
(intr) to look hastily or briefly
(intr; foll by over, through, etc) to look over briefly: to glance through a report
(intr) to reflect, glint, or gleam: the sun glanced on the water
(intr usually foll by off) to depart (from an object struck) at an oblique angle: the arrow glanced off the tree
(tr) to strike at an oblique angle: the arrow glanced the tree
a hasty or brief look; peep
at a glance from one's first look; immediately
a flash or glint of light; gleam
the act or an instance of an object glancing or glancing off another
a brief allusion or reference
cricket a stroke in which the ball is deflected off the bat to the leg side; glide
Origin of glance
1usage For glance
Derived forms of glance
- glancing, adverb
- glancingly, adverb
British Dictionary definitions for glance (2 of 2)
/ (ɡlɑːns) /
any mineral having a metallic lustre, esp a simple sulphide: copper glance
Origin of glance
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with glance
see at first blush (glance).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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