shimmer

[ shim-er ]

/ ˈʃɪm ər /

verb (used without object)

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

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

noun

a subdued, tremulous light or gleam.

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

Nearby words

shily, shim, shimazaki, shimizu, shimla, shimmer, shimmery, shimmy, shimonoseki, shin, shin guard

Origin of shimmer

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

SYNONYMS FOR shimmer

1 glimmer. See glisten.

Related forms

shim·mer·ing·ly, adverbun·shim·mer·ing, adjectiveun·shim·mer·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for shimmered

Alan Cumming shimmered darkly and brilliantly as the emcee in the Cabaret performance.
Hugh Jackman's Tony Jumping Fail, Plus the Winners and Standout Moments of Broadway's Biggest Night|Tim Teeman|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Consider one bold, green dress with a voluminous skirt that shimmered with what looked like the green scales of an alligator.
Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2014: Palazzo Fashion|Liza Foreman|September 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In a strapless platinum sheath covered in paiettes by Armani Prive, Anne Hathaway shimmered on the carpet.
Dress Makers|Laura Bennett|February 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Xaltotun did not reply; he sat staring down at the pool of living fire that shimmered in his hand.
The Hour of the Dragon|Robert E. Howard

A mile or so ahead lay a river; it shimmered in its valley, with cliffs on its further side.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1930|Victor Rousseau
The night was fair, and behind the silent Parade the decorous sea of Brighton shimmered becomingly under a full moon.
The Quaint Companions|Leonard Merrick
She always wore blue—something that floated and shimmered with every move.
Angel Island|Inez Haynes Gillmore
The moonlight streamed along the flagged path, and shimmered on the clumps of early yellow lilies.
A Popular Schoolgirl|Angela Brazil

British Dictionary definitions for shimmered

shimmer

/ (ˈʃɪmə) /

verb

(intr) to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Derived Forms

shimmering, adjectiveshimmeringly, adverb

Word Origin for shimmer

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

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