glow

American  

[gloh] / gloʊ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of glow

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

Example Sentences

Do that and we won’t write a snarky retort but a glowing letter of support instead.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the center of it all, under a Plexiglas box atop a glowing tower, sat the $5 million cash prize—stacks and stacks of real dollar bills.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kent’s jet-black sea is indistinguishable from the cosmos, and his white whale glows like some luminary body within it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Researchers first noticed a bright point of light and assumed it was a dust covered planet reflecting its star's glow.

From Science Daily

Truly, on a day that began so dark, there wound up being a familiar glow cast on the Rose Bowl winners and their unparalleled surroundings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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