First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1glitter
verb glit·ter \ˈgli-tər\
: to shine brightly : to shine with bright points of light
Full Definition of GLITTER
intransitive verb
1
2
: to be brilliantly attractive, lavish, or spectacular; also : to be superficially attractive or exciting
— glit·ter·ing·ly \-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb
See glitter defined for English-language learners
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Origin of GLITTER
Middle English gliteren, perhaps from Old Norse glitra; akin to Old English geolu yellow
Related to GLITTER
Synonym Discussion of GLITTER
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>.
2glitter
noun
: light that shines in small, bright points
: an appealing, fancy, and exciting quality : a glamorous quality
: small, shiny objects used to decorate a surface
Full Definition of GLITTER
1
a : sparkling brilliance of something that glitters b : a bright usually superficial attractiveness c : the quality of being spectacular
See glitter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GLITTER
1593
GLITTER Defined for Kids
1glitter
verb glit·ter \ˈgli-tər\
glit·teredglit·ter·ing
Definition of GLITTER for Kids
: to sparkle brightly
2glitter
noun
Definition of GLITTER for Kids
1
: sparkling brightness
2
: small glittering objects for decoration
— glit·tery \ˈgli-tə-rē\ adjective
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