glimpse

American  

[glimps] / glɪmps /

noun

1. a very brief, passing look, sight, or view.

2. a momentary or slight appearance.

3. a vague idea; inkling.

4. Archaic. a gleam, as of light.

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verb (used with object)

glimpsed, glimpsing

1. to catch or take a glimpse of.

   Synonyms:

   espy, sight, view, spy, spot

verb (used without object)

glimpsed, glimpsing

1. to look briefly; glance (usually followed byat ).

2. Archaic. to come into view; appear faintly.

glimpse British  

/ ɡlɪmps /

noun

1. a brief or incomplete view

   to catch a glimpse of the sea

2. a vague indication

   he had a glimpse of what the lecturer meant

3. archaic a glimmer of light

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verb

1. (tr) to catch sight of briefly or momentarily

2. to look (at) briefly or cursorily; glance (at)

3. archaic (intr) to shine faintly; glimmer

Usage

Glimpse is sometimes wrongly used where glance is meant: he gave a quick glance (not glimpse ) at his watch

Other Word Forms

• glimpser noun
• unglimpsed adjective

Etymology

Origin of glimpse

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (verb); cognate with Middle High German glimsen “to glow”; akin to glimmer

Example Sentences

Oil futures markets offer a glimpse of where things might be headed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

We get a glimpse of Cassie walking down the aisle and Levinson has previous said the pair's wedding will be "unforgettable" for viewers.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Because its light has traveled for more than 13 billion years, it provides a glimpse into the universe when it was less than a billion years old.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

These facilities may, people like Scott hope, offer a glimpse at the future of American health care.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Feigning total incompetence, which wasn’t hard, he hit out wildly, tempting Hord with a glimpse of his unprotected chest.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• flash
• glance
• impression
• peek
• sight
• sighting