glow

[gloh]

noun

1. a light emitted by or as if by a substance heated to luminosity; incandescence.

2. brightness of color.

3. a sensation or state of bodily heat.

4. a warm, ruddy color of the cheeks.

5. warmth of emotion or passion; ardor.

verb (used without object)

1. to emit bright light and heat without flame; become incandescent.

2. to shine like something intensely heated.

3. to exhibit a strong, bright color; be lustrously red or brilliant.

4. (of the cheeks) to exhibit a healthy, warm, ruddy color.

   Synonyms: redden, blush, flush

5. to become or feel very warm or hot.

6. to show emotion or elation.

   to glow with pride.

glow

/ ɡləʊ /

noun

1. light emitted by a substance or object at a high temperature

2. a steady even light without flames

3. brilliance or vividness of colour

4. brightness or ruddiness of complexion

5. a feeling of wellbeing or satisfaction

6. intensity of emotion; ardour

verb

1. to emit a steady even light without flames

2. to shine intensely, as if from great heat

3. to be exuberant or high-spirited, as from excellent health or intense emotion

4. to experience a feeling of wellbeing or satisfaction

   to glow with pride

5. (esp of the complexion) to show a strong bright colour, esp a shade of red

6. to be very hot

Other Word Forms

• outglow verb (used with object)
• underglow noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glow¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English glowen (verb), Old English glōwan; akin to German glühen, Old Norse glōa

Word History and Origins

Origin of glow¹

Old English glōwan; related to Old Norse glōa, Old High German gluoen, Icelandic glōra to sparkle

Example Sentences

This does not mean the trapped water glows or fizzes.

Read more on Science Daily

"Are you ready Shanghai?!" screamed the DJ, his glowing booth nestled at the heart of a huge intricate structure of pulsating colour and sound.

Read more on Barron's

In 2016, a letter was drawn up for U.S. immigration officials with a glowing endorsement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They added a molecular tag to the spherical nucleic acids that glowed under near-infrared light.

Read more on Science Daily

Initial laboratory tests confirmed that the hydrogel shield allowed the bacteria to survive simulated digestive conditions while still letting heme reach the sensor and trigger a glow.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• bloom 
• blossom 
• brilliance 
• glare 
• gleam 
• glimmer 
• glitter 
• intensity 
• light 
• radiance 
• ray 
• warmth