shimmer

[ shim-er ]

/ ˈʃɪm ər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: shimmer / shimmering on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR shimmer

1 glimmer.

See synonyms for shimmer on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of shimmer

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

synonym study for shimmer

1. See glisten.

OTHER WORDS FROM shimmer

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. 2022

How to use shimmer in a sentence

This season was no different, as he sent both men and women down the runway in shimmering head-to-toe looks.
Kimye’s Dazzling, Terrifying LFW Appearance|Justin Jones|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Hansberry wrote A Raisin in the Sun, America was shimmering with the stirrings of social agitation.
Is There a Ma Joad for the Piketty Era?|Katie Baker|July 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The last to take the runway was a shimmering gold, high-low gown with two elbow length cuffs, a thick choker, and heeled mules.
The Blessing of Thom Browne Latest Collection|Erin Cunningham|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Oh my god,” she says suddenly looking down at the gold Hebrew necklace shimmering in view on her visible upper half.
Behind ‘Broad City’: Amy Poehler’s Girls of Comedy|Abby Haglage|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was just two weeks ago, a little more, that this was going to be a day of shimmering triumph.
How Bad Does the GOP Need Chris Christie? Really Bad.|Michael Tomasky|January 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rosemary shook her head doubtfully, and her falling hair of pale, shimmering gold waved like a wheat-field shaken by a breeze.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
A gentle breeze stirred the air and the surface of the lakes lay shimmering in the soft autumnal light.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The shimmering surface of the river near the boat was broken up into ripples surrounding a black object.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Um-ko sat motionless against the silver fusuma, an ivory image, crowned and robed in shimmering gray.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa
He stepped forward now, and gripped him with his dusty glove by the sleeve of his shimmering bridegroom's coat.
Mistress Wilding|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for shimmer

shimmer

/ (ˈʃɪmə) /

verb

(intr) to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Derived forms of shimmer

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

shimmer

OTHER WORDS FOR shimmer

Origin of shimmer

synonym study for shimmer

OTHER WORDS FROM shimmer

Words related to shimmer

How to use shimmer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for shimmer

Derived forms of shimmer

Word Origin for shimmer