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

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.

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

Like David Hockney’s pool paintings, which celebrate the sun-filled landscapes of Los Angeles, the glistening ripples of the pool water reverberate throughout the first floor, much like the skyline of Los Angeles in the distance.

From Los Angeles Times

I ask her what memories of your father she has and her eyes glisten.

From BBC

But as the materials become more and more crucial to the global economy, chemicals firm Solvay is expanding its processing plant next to the glistening Atlantic Ocean to meet surging demand across Europe.

From BBC

Related Words

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