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

Derived Forms

• ˈglisteningly, adverb

Other Words From

• glisten·ing·ly adverb
• un·glisten·ing 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

I wanted the whole dress to glisten, so I used a lace with silver thread in it.

From The Daily Beast

Her tiny, 5-foot frame and pale white prison skin seemed to glisten with anguish.

From The Daily Beast

When it begins to glisten, add the onion and sauté until it is soft and slightly golden, about five minutes.

From The Daily Beast

See that boy's eyes glisten while you are speaking of a neighbor in a language you would not wish to have repeated.

From Project Gutenberg

Only once, when Sogrange incautiously displayed a gold watch, did the eyes of one or two of their number glisten.

From Project Gutenberg

Wait until nightfall, and it will positively glisten with lamps and gleam with merriment.

From Project Gutenberg

Their monasteries rise in the midst of the fertile plains of Syria, their basilicas glisten in our cities beside our mosques.

From Project Gutenberg

The streets glisten clean in the sunlight, and every window is a reflector of glad promise.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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