gleam

[ gleem ]

noun

1. a flash or beam of light:

   the gleam of a lantern in the dark.

2. a dim or subdued light.
3. a brief or slight manifestation or occurrence; trace:

   a gleam of hope.

verb (used without object)

1. to send forth a gleam or gleams.

   Synonyms: beam, sparkle, glitter, glint, flash, glimmer, shine, scintilla, suggestion, hint

2. to appear suddenly and clearly like a flash of light.

gleam

/ ɡliːm /

noun

1. a small beam or glow of light, esp reflected light
2. a brief or dim indication

   a gleam of hope

verb

1. to send forth or reflect a beam of light
2. to appear, esp briefly

   intelligence gleamed in his eyes

Derived Forms

• ˈgleamy, adjective
• ˈgleaming, adjective
• ˈgleamingly, adverb

Other Words From

• gleam·less adjective
• out·gleam verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of gleam¹

First recorded before 1000; (noun) Middle English glem(e), Old English glǣm; cognate with Old High German gleimo “glowworm”; akin to Old Saxon glīmo “brightness”; (verb) Middle English, derivative of the noun. See glimmer, glimpse

Word History and Origins

Origin of gleam¹

Old English glǣm; related to Old Norse gljā to flicker, Old High German gleimo glow-worm, glīmo brightness, Old Irish glē bright

Synonym Study

Gleam, glimmer, beam, ray are terms for a stream of light. Gleam denotes a not very brilliant, intermittent or nondirectional stream of light. Glimmer indicates a nondirectional light that is feeble and unsteady: a faint glimmer of moonlight. Beam usually means a directional, and therefore smaller, stream: the beam from a searchlight. Ray usually implies a still smaller amount of light than a beam, a single line of light: a ray through a pinprick in a window shade.

Example Sentences

Baugh had brought nothing but his remarkable good will, and it was in full gleam for all to see when the president entered.

From The Daily Beast

Polish them until they gleam with malice, wicked glee, and non-registry gifts.

From The Daily Beast

A brown tacky gleam of years of paint accumulation covers the three-story apartment.

From The Daily Beast

He asked me what I put on my nail polish to give all the colors a warm gleam.

From The Daily Beast

Evans, 31, whose eyes gleam behind a mess of blonde hair, was a formerly committed Christian whose faith had lapsed.

From The Daily Beast

It was the darkest hour of twilight, when there was just enough of gleam from the lurid sky, to shew the outline of objects.

From Project Gutenberg

He was sure that I was really there, and the gleam of white teeth showed a broadening dog-smile.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Levi enters almost beside him; how white his big eyeballs gleam, as he steps in under the same cold light!

From Project Gutenberg

She smiled back at him, a pale, timid smile, like a gleam of sunshine from a wintry sky.

From Project Gutenberg

Indirect lighting gave a pretty gleam to the metal gadgets on the tables.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• glimmer
• glint
• glisten
• glitter
• glow
• radiate
• shimmer
• shine
• twinkle