glitter
[glit-er]
- to reflect light with a brilliant, sparkling luster; sparkle with reflected light.
- to make a brilliant show.
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- a sparkling reflected light or luster.
- showy splendor.
- small glittering ornaments.
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Origin of glitter
1300–50; Middle English < Old Norse glitra; compare Old English glitenian, German gleissen to shine, glitter
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
glamourglitzsheenlustershineglistentwinklegleamshimmerglimmerglintscintillateglowradianceglareshowzapflashglisterbeamExamples from the Web for glitter
Contemporary Examples
Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Neil Patrick Harris in fishnets, high heels, and glitter could be a great gag.
Hedwig, Hugh & Michael Cera: 12 Powerhouse Theater Performances of 2014Janice Kaplan
December 31, 2014
I sew, glue, glitter, cut, and tie numerous things onto my products to make the final creation.
Beyoncé Covers Flaunt Magazine In Only Glitter: If you like it, then you should put some glitter on it.
CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists Announced; Beyoncé Wears Nothing But GlitterThe Fashion Beast Team
July 11, 2013
You knew this would be razzle-dazzle, filled with glitter and popping bottles and Jay-Z.
‘The Great Gatsby’ Debate: Is Baz Luhrmann’s Film Genius or Rubbish?Marlow Stern, Isabel Wilkinson
May 11, 2013
And paint the whole head rosy, and put the glitter in his eyes.
Historical Examples
There are many things that glitter as well as gold and which can be had more cheaply.
The Call of the Twentieth CenturyDavid Starr Jordan
Dick saw the glitter of his colonel's eye and the sharp compression of his lips.
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
His success, whatever he does, is all glitter—evanescent glitter.
Then he caught the glitter of spectacles beneath the hat brim.
Galusha the MagnificentJoseph C. Lincoln
There was a smile on his face, a glitter in his eyes that fetched her heart into her throat.
Captain BloodRafael Sabatini
glitter
- (of a hard, wet, or polished surface) to reflect light in bright flashes
- (of light) to be reflected in bright flashes
- (usually foll by with) to be decorated or enhanced by the glamour (of)the show glitters with famous actors
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- sparkle or brilliance
- show and glamour
- tiny pieces of shiny decorative material used for ornamentation, as on the skin
- Also called: silver thaw Canadian ice formed from freezing rain
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Word Origin
C14: from Old Norse glitra; related to Old High German glīzan to shine
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
Word Origin and History for glitter
v.
c.1300, glideren (late 14c. as gliteren), from a Scandinavian source, cf. Old Norse glitra "to glitter," from glit "brightness," from Proto-Germanic *glit- "shining, bright" (cf. Old English glitenian "to glitter, shine; be distinguished," Old High German glizzan, German glitzern, Gothic glitmunjan), from PIE *ghleid- (cf. Greek khlidon, khlidos "ornament"), from root *ghel- "to shine, glitter" (see glass). Related: Glittered; glittering. The noun is c.1600, from the verb. Glitter rock is from 1972.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with glitter
glitter
see all that glitters is not gold.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.