glisten

[glis-uhn]

verb (used without object)

1. to reflect a sparkling light or a faint intermittent glow; shine lustrously.

   Synonyms: glitter, gleam, glimmer

noun

1. a glistening; sparkle.

glisten

/ ˈɡlɪsən /

verb

1. (of a wet or glossy surface) to gleam by reflecting light

   wet leaves glisten in the sunlight

2. (of light) to reflect with brightness

   the sunlight glistens on wet leaves

noun

1. rare,  a gleam or gloss

Other Word Forms

• glisteningly adverb
• unglistening adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glisten¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English glis(t)nen (verb), Old English glisnian, derivative of glisian “to glitter; ” -en ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of glisten¹

Old English glisnian; related to glisian to glitter, Middle High German glistern

Synonym Study

Glisten, shimmer, sparkle refer to different ways in which light is reflected from surfaces. Glisten refers to a lustrous light, as from something sleek or wet, or it may refer to myriads of tiny gleams reflected from small surfaces: Wet fur glistens. Snow glistens in the sunlight. Shimmer refers to the changing play of light on a (generally moving) surface, as of water or silk: Moonbeams shimmer on water. Silk shimmers in a high light. To sparkle is to give off sparks or small ignited particles, or to send forth small but brilliant gleams, sometimes by reflection: A diamond sparkles with numerous points of light.

Example Sentences

The morning frost glistens, and—in a clever device—the low sun glimmers through a row of unseen, leafless trees behind the artist, casting crisscrossing, rhythmic shadows on the furrows.

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It’s the merriest time of the year — and arguably when the resort is at its glistening, glowing best with seasonal food offerings, holiday ride makeovers and unique live entertainment options.

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Near sunset they returned, manfully pulling the oars as the dories rode low in the water, heavy with glistening, still-wriggling fish.

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When she finally pulled away, her eyes glistened.

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He turned away from his mother—he didn’t want to see her glistening eyes —and threw himself back on the pillow.

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Related Words

• flicker 
• gleam 
• glimmer 
• glint 
• glitter 
• glow 
• shine 
• sparkle 
• twinkle