glisten

[glis-uhn]

verb (used without object)

1. to reflect a sparkling light or a faint intermittent glow; shine lustrously.

   Synonyms: glitter, gleam, glimmer

noun

1. a glistening; sparkle.

glisten

/ ˈɡlɪsən /

verb

1. (of a wet or glossy surface) to gleam by reflecting light

   wet leaves glisten in the sunlight

2. (of light) to reflect with brightness

   the sunlight glistens on wet leaves

noun

1. rare,  a gleam or gloss

Other Word Forms

• glisteningly adverb
• unglistening adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glisten¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English glis(t)nen (verb), Old English glisnian, derivative of glisian “to glitter; ” -en ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of glisten¹

Old English glisnian; related to glisian to glitter, Middle High German glistern

Synonym Study

Glisten, shimmer, sparkle refer to different ways in which light is reflected from surfaces. Glisten refers to a lustrous light, as from something sleek or wet, or it may refer to myriads of tiny gleams reflected from small surfaces: Wet fur glistens. Snow glistens in the sunlight. Shimmer refers to the changing play of light on a (generally moving) surface, as of water or silk: Moonbeams shimmer on water. Silk shimmers in a high light. To sparkle is to give off sparks or small ignited particles, or to send forth small but brilliant gleams, sometimes by reflection: A diamond sparkles with numerous points of light.

Example Sentences

“Do you understand why I can’t return?” she said, her eyes glistening.

Read more on Literature

He walked us over to a hunk of metal glistening by the window.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But when it finally came out of the oven — improbably perfect, golden brown, the Bundt ridges crisped and glistening — I felt a little giddy.

Read more on Salon

I sat at my final breakfast, a perfect double espresso breathed its steam, the bread still warm, the smear glistened and pooled in the nooks.

Read more on Salon

Their sunscreen glistened in the summer heat, leaving a coconut aroma in the air.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flicker 
• gleam 
• glimmer 
• glint 
• glitter 
• glow 
• shine 
• sparkle 
• twinkle