shimmer

[shim-er]

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with or reflect a subdued, tremulous light; gleam faintly.

   Synonyms: glimmer

2. to appear to quiver or vibrate in faint light or while reflecting heat waves.

noun

1. a subdued, tremulous light or gleam.

2. a quivering or vibrating motion or image as produced by reflecting faint light or heat waves.

shimmer

/ ˈʃɪmə /

verb

1. (intr) to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

1. a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Other Word Forms

• shimmeringly adverb
• unshimmering adjective
• unshimmeringly adverb
• shimmering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English schimeren, s(c)hemeren, Old English scimrian; cognate with Dutch schemeren, German schimmern “to glisten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

Old English scimerian; related to Middle Low German schēmeren to grow dark, Old Norse skimi brightness

Synonym Study

See glisten.

Example Sentences

Swift released this shimmering tune in 2013 for the “One Chance” film soundtrack, and true to its title, it is sweet as a peach.

From Los Angeles Times

They feature ball gowns, shimmering crowns and even a court of close family and friends.

From Los Angeles Times

He stood just over 5 feet but commanded theaters filled with thousands of people, standing onstage in shimmering sapphire or gold lamé suits, while four generations of fans screamed his name.

From Los Angeles Times

Combined with the coloured, shimmering floor and walls, and a soundtrack of muffled voices, gongs and bird calls, it all creates a powerful if unnerving feeling of floating in another realm.

From BBC

The Qatari capital, Doha, is back to normal today, with traffic moving on the highways, and skyscrapers shimmering in the heat.

From BBC

Related Words

• gleam 
• glint 
• glow 
• shine 
• sparkle 
• twinkle