gleaming

American  

[glee-ming] / ˈgli mɪŋ /

adjective

1. giving off or appearing to give off light or brightness; radiant; shining.

   A cold, gray light filtered down through the bushes and lay on the faintly gleaming sand.

   The newest release is a gleaming composite of epic, unabashedly pretty '70s songwriting and fancy-pants disco hedonism.

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Other Word Forms

• gleamingly
  adverb
• ungleaming
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gleaming

gleam ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Teeth in toothpaste commercials are gleaming. They sparkle when the light hits. When you see this word, think of a bright reflected ray of light, on teeth, on water, or in someone's smiling eyes. A new skyscraper that reflects light might also be described as gleaming. If you are excited to move to a new place, someone might say that your eyes are gleaming with excitement, especially as you view the gleaming wood floors and gleaming freshly-washed windows of your new home. The word has a clean, glittering, sparkly feel to it.

Example Sentences

I got there on a balmy afternoon, beheld Chicken Boy’s beak gleaming in the sun, and knew my mission was complete.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Another massive piece, “Kumbi Saleh 3020 CE,” resurrects the medieval city of Kumbi Saleh, the capital of the ancient Ghanaian empire, as a gleaming, futuristic hub.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

The block is about to be demolished to make way for a gleaming new residential complex, and the mosaic is to be torn down.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

They operate in gleaming offices and impenetrable hotels in a strikingly steely Los Angeles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“I’m actually here to talk to Ophelia,” Richard said with his toothpaste smile, his eyes gleaming.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

• bright
• burnished
• glassy
• glazed
• glistening
• lustrous
• polished
• shining
• shiny
• sleek