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

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

Convenient, but it’s lonely working out alone in your living room, bathed in the glow of a laptop screen; motivation can become spotty.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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