glimpse

American  

[glimps] / glɪmps /

noun

1. a very brief, passing look, sight, or view.

2. a momentary or slight appearance.

3. a vague idea; inkling.

4. Archaic. a gleam, as of light.

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verb (used with object)

glimpsed, glimpsing

1. to catch or take a glimpse of.

   Synonyms:

   espy, sight, view, spy, spot

verb (used without object)

glimpsed, glimpsing

1. to look briefly; glance (usually followed byat ).

2. Archaic. to come into view; appear faintly.

glimpse British  

/ ɡlɪmps /

noun

1. a brief or incomplete view

   to catch a glimpse of the sea

2. a vague indication

   he had a glimpse of what the lecturer meant

3. archaic a glimmer of light

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verb

1. (tr) to catch sight of briefly or momentarily

2. to look (at) briefly or cursorily; glance (at)

3. archaic (intr) to shine faintly; glimmer

Usage

Glimpse is sometimes wrongly used where glance is meant: he gave a quick glance (not glimpse ) at his watch

Other Word Forms

• glimpser noun
• unglimpsed adjective

Etymology

Origin of glimpse

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (verb); cognate with Middle High German glimsen “to glow”; akin to glimmer

Example Sentences

Despite the grim subject matter, the show also offers a glimpse of hope that such awareness arrives in time for someone to show that those despairing are not alone.–

From Salon

He imagines that Hamish travels with him in the back seat of his Rolls, and he takes care not to look in the rearview mirror: “Catching a glimpse of him would not be good.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But it will have a certain resonance when we catch a few glimpses of it late in the movie.

From The Wall Street Journal

Eventually, he caught a glimpse of a familiar colourful skirt and found his daughter, stained in red - but okay, still shrouded under Jessica.

From BBC

In one scene, there are glimpses of a bullish, noisy beast through the summer leaves.

From BBC

Related Words

• flash
• glance
• impression
• peek
• sight
• sighting