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glimmer

American  
[glim-er] / ˈglɪm ər /

noun

  1. a faint or unsteady light; gleam.

  2. a dim perception; inkling.


verb (used without object)

  1. to shine faintly or unsteadily; twinkle, shimmer, or flicker.

  2. to appear faintly or dimly.

glimmer British  
/ ˈɡlɪmə /

verb

  1. (of a light, candle, etc) to glow faintly or flickeringly

  2. to be indicated faintly

    hope glimmered in his face

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a glow or twinkle of light

  2. a faint indication

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

The book offers a glimmer of hope as well, albeit a faint one, and concludes with some plainspoken recommendations about proceeding with extreme caution and slowing down.

From Los Angeles Times

It was there, while speaking to the charity's founder, Wynford Elis Owen, she saw "a glimmer of hope in my mum's eyes".

From BBC

The glimmering rhythm of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Nowhere to Run” sets the tone as visions of cruise culture innocence aim to make us feel as if we’re on a ride through Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times

“You start to appreciate things more, I think, when your whole life is shaken up,” Kaslow said, looking out at the moonlight glimmering across the marina.

From Los Angeles Times

A winter bowl becomes both more decadent and somehow fresher when there’s a little glimmer of fruit tucked inside.

From Salon