glimpse
Americannoun
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a very brief, passing look, sight, or view.
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a momentary or slight appearance.
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a vague idea; inkling.
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Archaic. a gleam, as of light.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to look briefly; glance (usually followed byat ).
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Archaic. to come into view; appear faintly.
noun
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a brief or incomplete view
to catch a glimpse of the sea
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a vague indication
he had a glimpse of what the lecturer meant
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archaic a glimmer of light
verb
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(tr) to catch sight of briefly or momentarily
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to look (at) briefly or cursorily; glance (at)
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archaic (intr) to shine faintly; glimmer
Usage
Glimpse is sometimes wrongly used where glance is meant: he gave a quick glance (not glimpse ) at his watch
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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glimpsesimple
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glimpsessimple
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have glimpsedperfect
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has glimpsedperfect
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am glimpsingprogressive
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are glimpsingprogressive
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is glimpsingprogressive
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have been glimpsingperfect progressive
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has been glimpsingperfect progressive
Past
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glimpsedsimple
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had glimpsedperfect
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was glimpsingprogressive
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were glimpsingprogressive
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had been glimpsingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of glimpse
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (verb); cognate with Middle High German glimsen “to glow”; akin to glimmer
Explanation
If you had a brief or incomplete look at something, you had a glimpse. "He didn't mean to peek, but he got a glimpse of his birthday present when his wife tried to sneak it into the house. Of course, it's pretty hard to hide a ladder." You can use glimpse as a noun (like when you "catch a glimpse of someone") or as a verb (like when you "glimpse in someone's direction"). Although the word glimpse is usually used to describe the physical act of sneaking a peek at something, you can also use the noun glimpse to indicate a vague idea or suggestion. Perhaps, you can have a glimpse into your future by observing your parents' actions or by consulting a Tarot card reader.
Vocabulary lists containing glimpse
"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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List 15
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But that changed this week when hundreds of pages of court exhibits — released through discovery in a federal lawsuit — provided a glimpse into the operations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
The chip maker made a “substantial” investment after getting a rare glimpse into the state of the startup’s research, the companies said Monday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
When the property was listed, images revealed an incredible glimpse inside the dwelling, which features a meditation room inside the primary suite, a climate-controlled wig room, a private gym, and a movie theater.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
His performance Wednesday was another glimpse of that upside.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
As he did, he caught a glimpse of someone standing just behind the trees.
From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley
The England youth international is a highly rated prospect and there were glimpses here of why.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
In recent weeks, Smith has shared heartwrenching glimpses into the family’s battle, including photos of Whimsy’s curls being shaved and her bald head bedazzled with gems.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
For a documentarian who specializes in personal movies, “Remake” feels especially revealing — both in terms of the glimpses we get of this father-son relationship and of unsolved mysteries that linger just outside the frame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026
It's been two days since Taylor Swift's wedding to Travis Kelce, and some of their superstar friends have started giving us tantalising glimpses into what it was like.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
We catch glimpses of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which is also shrouded in patches of mist.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
While Embo didn’t have much screen time, he can be glimpsed among the scum and villainy in a handful of episodes including Season 2 Episode 17, Season 5 Episode 14 and Season 6 Episode 5.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
Who down there, waiting in the out-the-door Sweetgreen line or descending into the subway, has glimpsed the void in the way I have?
From Slate ● Apr. 23, 2026
The first image shows an 'Earthrise' as the astronauts glimpsed our home planet peaking out beyond a cratered lunar landscape.
From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026
Viewed from the village below, or glimpsed on the way up the forested hill, the structure looks topographical—a glistening summit just above a tree line.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026
Through this mist he glimpsed the shadow, fleeing somewhat to the right of his course.
From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin
For many people, even glimpsing a hornet's stinger is enough to cause alarm.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2025
For most of the public, glimpsing this extraordinary mix -- home to the 18-hole Lodhi Course and the nine-hole Peacock Course -- is usually only possible by peering through its entrance gates.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2025
Niagara Falls State Park has various vantage points ideal for glimpsing the natural phenomenon, and there will be interpretive staff offering educational programming in conjunction with the event.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 4, 2024
Bird watchers are flocking to northeastern Wisconsin in hopes of glimpsing a shorebird last seen in the state almost 180 years ago.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2023
“Jesus, you in clover, sure ’nough,” Jack said, glimpsing the thick roll of bills.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
