glint

[glint]

noun

1. a tiny, quick flash of light.

   Synonyms: glimmer, gleam

2. gleaming brightness; luster.

3. a brief or slight manifestation or occurrence; inkling; trace.

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with a glint.

2. to move suddenly; dart.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to glint; reflect.

glint

/ ɡlɪnt /

verb

1. to gleam or cause to gleam brightly

noun

1. a bright gleam or flash

2. brightness or gloss

3. a brief indication

Word History and Origins

Origin of glint¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English glint, variant of obsolete glent; compare Danish glente, Swedish dialect glänta “to glimpse, brighten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of glint¹

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish dialect glänta, glinta to gleam

Synonym Study

See flash.

Example Sentences

Then I see a familiar glint in Woo’s eyes.

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Animal eyes glinted from the shadows, but they were the eyes of friendly bunnies.

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For some reason she pictured the animal wearing Judge Quinzy’s thick and distorting glasses, which made its glinting amber eyes appear larger and more menacing than they already were.

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Behind every tree Penelope imagined she saw the eyes of bloodthirsty cannibals, glinting hungrily in the dark.

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Together, the outfit glinted strangely in the sun.

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Related Words

• gleam 
• glimmer 
• twinkle