glimpse

[ glimps ]

/ glɪmps /

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See synonyms for: glimpse / glimpsed / glimpsing on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

a momentary or slight appearance.

a vague idea; inkling.

Archaic. a gleam, as of light.

verb (used with object), glimpsed, glimps·ing.

to catch or take a glimpse of.

verb (used without object), glimpsed, glimps·ing.

to look briefly; glance (usually followed by at).

Archaic. to come into view; appear faintly.

OTHER WORDS FOR glimpse

5 spot, spy, view, sight, espy.

See synonyms for glimpse on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of glimpse

1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (v.); cognate with Middle High German glimsen to glow; akin to glimmer

OTHER WORDS FROM glimpse

glimpser, nounun·glimpsed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH glimpse

glance, glimpse

Words nearby glimpse

Glière, glim, glimmer, glimmer ice, glimmering, glimpse, Glinka, glinn, glint, glinty, glioma

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use glimpse in a sentence

Just for a glimpse, you can find potential customers based on the traits of your existing customers or the customers of your competitors.
Five ways to use machine learning in digital marketing|Birbahadur Kathayat|February 12, 2021|Search Engine Watch
A quick glimpse of the interface in the video really does look a lot like you’d expect an in-game character design tool to look.
Meet the eerily realistic digital people made with Epic’s MetaHuman Creator|Stan Horaczek|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
While multiple causes were at play, the spatial disorientation factor offers a glimpse at the ways in which a person’s senses can deceive them, especially if they’re flying an aircraft.
This surprisingly common flight issue contributed to Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash|Rob Verger|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Sewer tests are now providing a direct glimpse of just how many people are infected with the variant in some cities.
The fast-spreading coronavirus variant is turning up in US sewers|Stephanie Arnett|February 8, 2021|MIT Technology Review

The horrors of the past year have given us a brief glimpse into what it’s like to live in a world ravaged by infectious disease.
Smallpox used to kill millions of people every year. Here’s how humans beat it.|Kelsey Piper|February 5, 2021|Vox
Buzzfeed shows us a potentially terrifying glimpse of the future.
Use Your Brain—Control a Drone|The Daily Beast Video|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At his year-end, pre-Hawaii press conference, we caught a rare glimpse of peak Obama.
The Liberation of the Lame Duck: Obama Goes Full Bulworth|John Avlon|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tumult was such that young Sarah had cause to worry that she might not get even a glimpse of Will and Kate.
Synagogue Slay: When Cops Have to Kill|Michael Daly|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the back cover of the first paperback edition we get a glimpse of the media buzz.
Living Black & Gay in the ’50s|Alain Mabanckou|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not until someone catches on video one small glimpse of your everyday reality and even then, can you get justice?
‘Why Have I Lost Control?’: Cory Booker in ’92 on Rodney King Echoes Ferguson|Cory Booker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Just as it disappeared from view he caught a glimpse of a charming little girl, peeping out of a latticed window beside the door.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
While the door was open he caught a glimpse of the street outside—and of Glavis on the sidewalk below.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Lawrence mingled with the crowd, and as he read he felt a bulky envelope thrust in his hand and caught a glimpse of a dusky arm.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Isabel had a glimpse of a delicate high-bred face set like a panel in a parted curtain.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Black Sheep climbed into bed feeling that he had lost Heaven after a glimpse through the gates.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for glimpse

glimpse

/ (ɡlɪmps) /

noun

a brief or incomplete viewto catch a glimpse of the sea

a vague indicationhe had a glimpse of what the lecturer meant

archaic a glimmer of light

verb

(tr) to catch sight of briefly or momentarily

(intr usually foll by at) mainly US to look (at) briefly or cursorily; glance (at)

(intr) archaic to shine faintly; glimmer

Derived forms of glimpse

glimpser, noun

Word Origin for glimpse

C14: of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German glimsen to glimmer

usage for glimpse

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

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

glimpse

OTHER WORDS FOR glimpse

Origin of glimpse

OTHER WORDS FROM glimpse

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH glimpse

Words nearby glimpse

Words related to glimpse

How to use glimpse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for glimpse

Derived forms of glimpse

Word Origin for glimpse

usage for glimpse