glow

American  

[gloh] / gloʊ /

noun

1. a light emitted by or as if by a substance heated to luminosity; incandescence.

2. brightness of color.

3. a sensation or state of bodily heat.

4. a warm, ruddy color of the cheeks.

5. warmth of emotion or passion; ardor.

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verb (used without object)

1. to emit bright light and heat without flame; become incandescent.

2. to shine like something intensely heated.

3. to exhibit a strong, bright color; be lustrously red or brilliant.

4. (of the cheeks) to exhibit a healthy, warm, ruddy color.

   Synonyms:

   redden, blush, flush

5. to become or feel very warm or hot.

6. to show emotion or elation.

   to glow with pride.

glow British  

/ ɡləʊ /

noun

1. light emitted by a substance or object at a high temperature

2. a steady even light without flames

3. brilliance or vividness of colour

4. brightness or ruddiness of complexion

5. a feeling of wellbeing or satisfaction

6. intensity of emotion; ardour

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verb

1. to emit a steady even light without flames

2. to shine intensely, as if from great heat

3. to be exuberant or high-spirited, as from excellent health or intense emotion

4. to experience a feeling of wellbeing or satisfaction

   to glow with pride

5. (esp of the complexion) to show a strong bright colour, esp a shade of red

6. to be very hot

Other Word Forms

• outglow
  verb (used with object)
• underglow
  noun

Etymology

Origin of glow

First recorded before 1000; Middle English glowen (verb), Old English glōwan; akin to German glühen, Old Norse glōa

Explanation

To glow is to shine with light. On a clear night when the moon is full, it glows in the sky. A nightlight glows in a dark room, and a distant flashlight beam glows like a candle. Other things that glow include fireflies, TV screens, and city lights when seen from an airplane at night. A person's face can also be said to glow, when it's shining and flushed with health or happiness. The radiance of light or pleasure itself can also be called a glow, from the Old English glowan, "to shine as if red-hot."

Example Sentences

Several "disproportionately represented" brands, such as Glow, Drunk Elephant or The Ordinary, market themselves as healthy, supposedly natural alternatives to chemical-laden competitors.

From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025

Appeared in the November 15, 2025, print edition as 'A Brighter Post-Vacation Glow'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

This week, BBC Three's Glow Up returns, with a new set of artists competing to become Britain's next make-up star.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2025

It was something I’d encountered only online: Dior Lip Glow.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2024

Glow sticks illuminated most of the pumpkins, two in each.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

• bloom
• blossom
• brilliance
• glare
• gleam
• glimmer
• glitter
• intensity
• light
• radiance
• ray
• warmth