First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1glimmer
verb glim·mer \ˈgli-mər\
: to shine in a weak, faint, or unsteady way
glim·meredglim·mer·ing \ˈglim-riŋ, ˈgli-mə-\
Full Definition of GLIMMER
intransitive verb
1
a : to shine faintly or unsteadily b : to give off a subdued unsteady reflection
2
: to appear indistinctly with a faintly luminous quality
See glimmer defined for English-language learners
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Origin of GLIMMER
Middle English glimeren; akin to Old English glǣm gleam
Related to GLIMMER
Synonym Discussion of GLIMMER
flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light <lightning flashed>. gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background <lights gleamed in the valley>. glint implies a cold glancing light <glinting steel>. sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light <the sparkling waters>. glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming <glittering diamonds>. glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface <glistening wet sidewalk>. glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam <a distant glimmering light>. shimmer means shining with a wavering light <a shimmering satin dress>.
2glimmer
noun
: a weak, unsteady light
: a faint idea or suggestion of something
: a small amount or sign of something
Full Definition of GLIMMER
1
a : a feeble or intermittent light b : a subdued unsteady shining or sparkle
See glimmer defined for English-language learners
See glimmer defined for kids
First Known Use of GLIMMER
1590
Related to GLIMMER
- Synonyms
- ace, bit, crumb, dab, dram, driblet, particle, hint, lick, little, mite, nip, ounce, peanuts, ray, scintilla, scruple, shade, shadow, shred, skosh, smack, smell, smidgen (also smidgeon or smidgin or smidge), snap, soupçon, spark, spatter, speck, splash, spot, sprinkling, strain, streak, suspicion, tad, touch, trace
GLIMMERED Defined for Kids
1glimmer
verb glim·mer \ˈgli-mər\
glim·meredglim·mer·ing
Definition of GLIMMER for Kids
: to shine faintly and unsteadily
2glimmer
noun
Definition of GLIMMER for Kids
1
: a faint unsteady light
2
: a faint suggestion <a glimmer of trouble>
3
: a small amount <a glimmer of hope>
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