glimmer
Americannoun
-
a faint or unsteady light; gleam.
-
a dim perception; inkling.
verb (used without object)
-
to shine faintly or unsteadily; twinkle, shimmer, or flicker.
-
to appear faintly or dimly.
verb
-
(of a light, candle, etc) to glow faintly or flickeringly
-
to be indicated faintly
hope glimmered in his face
noun
-
a glow or twinkle of light
-
a faint indication
Related Words
See gleam.
Other Word Forms
- glimmeringly adverb
Etymology
Origin of glimmer
1300–50; Middle English glimeren “to gleam”; cognate with German glimmern; compare Old English gleomu “splendor”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But for at least a little while, within the confines of San Francisco’s Moscone Center, there was a glimmer of a life in a contest that has seemed largely inert.
From Los Angeles Times
He nevertheless tried to highlight what he sees as glimmers of hope.
From Los Angeles Times
The melody in the chorus shows a glimmer of hook-writing ability.
From Salon
As well as battling to avoid relegation for the first time since 1976-77, the north London club have reached the last 16 of the Champions League in their sole glimmer of hope this season.
From Barron's
At this glimmer of the real Mom, my eyes sting and I hurriedly wipe them with the back of my hand.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
