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View synonyms for

gleam

[ gleem ]

noun

  1. a flash or beam of light:

    the gleam of a lantern in the dark.

  2. a dim or subdued light.
  3. a brief or slight manifestation or occurrence; trace:

    a gleam of hope.



verb (used without object)

  1. to send forth a gleam or gleams.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , , , ,

  2. to appear suddenly and clearly like a flash of light.

gleam

/ ɡː /

noun

  1. a small beam or glow of light, esp reflected light
  2. a brief or dim indication

    a gleam of hope

“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

verb

  1. to send forth or reflect a beam of light
  2. to appear, esp briefly

    intelligence gleamed in his eyes

“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ𲹳Բ, adjective
  • ˈ𲹳Բly, adverb
  • ˈ𲹳, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • 𲹳· adjective
  • dzܳ·𲹳 verb (used with object)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gleam1

First recorded before 1000; (noun) Middle English glem(e), Old English ǣ; cognate with Old High German gleimo “glowworm”; akin to Old Saxon ī “brightness”; (verb) Middle English, derivative of the noun. See glimmer, glimpse
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gleam1

Old English ǣ; related to Old Norse to flicker, Old High German gleimo glow-worm, ī brightness, Old Irish ŧ bright
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Synonym Study

Gleam, glimmer, beam, ray are terms for a stream of light. Gleam denotes a not very brilliant, intermittent or nondirectional stream of light. Glimmer indicates a nondirectional light that is feeble and unsteady: a faint glimmer of moonlight. Beam usually means a directional, and therefore smaller, stream: the beam from a searchlight. Ray usually implies a still smaller amount of light than a beam, a single line of light: a ray through a pinprick in a window shade.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On his coffee table sits a gleaming metallic hood ornament, a winged pointed figure that looks like a mock spaceship that Gurr hoped would grace a new Lincoln.

From

She is excruciatingly introspective but in perfect control of every sentence and emotion — withholding, sparing or repeating words to produce observations that gleam with intelligence and insight but keep their author shadowed.

From

National and state highways together make up about 5% of the total network, while other roads - including gleaming access-controlled expressways - account for the rest.

From

The genial, dapper TV host with the gleaming smile and perfectly coiffed hair had hosted two local TV game shows in L.A. before going national with “’s This Song?”

From

The wasabi sauce was sinus-clearing, with a generous portion of the black pearls gleaming on top.

From

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More About Gleam

does gleam mean?

A gleam is a flash or flicker of light, as in As Val scrolled through their phone in the dark, the screen projected a gleam of light on their face.

A gleam is also a dim light, such as you might get from a flashlight with a dying battery.

To gleam means to send out a gleam, as in The candle gleamed in the darkness.

To gleam also means to appear quickly and clearly, as a flash of light would.

Example: I love the way this dress gleams in the sun.

Where does gleam come from?

The first records of the term gleam come from before the year 1000. It ultimately comes from the Old English ǣ.

You might also see gleam used to mean “a brief or small inkling of something happening.” You might have a gleam of hope about something that’s not very likely but not impossible. You might also say you have a gleam of happiness when you’re sad overall.

Did you know ... ?

are some other forms related to gleam?

  • gleamingly (adverb)
  • gleamless (adjective)
  • gleamy (adjective)
  • outgleam (verb)
  • gleaming (adjective, verb)

are some synonyms for gleam?

are some words that share a root or word element with gleam?

are some words that often get used in discussing gleam?

How is gleam used in real life?

Gleam is a common word often used to describe a dull stream of light.

Try using gleam!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for gleam?

A. glimmer
B. darken
C. twinkle
D. glint

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Gld.gleaming