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View synonyms for

glisten

[glis-uhn]

verb (used without object)

  1. to reflect a sparkling light or a faint intermittent glow; shine lustrously.

    Synonyms: , ,


noun

  1. a glistening; sparkle.

glisten

/ ˈɡɪə /

verb

  1. (of a wet or glossy surface) to gleam by reflecting light

    wet leaves glisten in the sunlight

  2. (of light) to reflect with brightness

    the sunlight glistens on wet leaves

“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

noun

  1. rarea gleam or gloss

“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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Other Word Forms

  • glisteningly adverb
  • unglistening adjective
  • ˈٱԾԲ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of glisten1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English glis(t)nen (verb), Old English glisnian, derivative of glisian “t glitter; ” -en 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of glisten1

Old English glisnian; related to glisian to glitter, Middle High German glistern
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Synonym Study

Glisten, shimmer, sparkle refer to different ways in which light is reflected from surfaces. Glisten refers to a lustrous light, as from something sleek or wet, or it may refer to myriads of tiny gleams reflected from small surfaces: Wet fur glistens. Snow glistens in the sunlight. Shimmer refers to the changing play of light on a (generally moving) surface, as of water or silk: Moonbeams shimmer on water. Silk shimmers in a high light. To sparkle is to give off sparks or small ignited particles, or to send forth small but brilliant gleams, sometimes by reflection: A diamond sparkles with numerous points of light.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She just glistens, just pure black, and she’s wonderful with the kids.

From

"That was a really, really good thing for us," the businessman enthuses, showing off a production line of glistening metal machines in several rooms.

From

The glistening jawline and lidless eyes are giving unmistakable Terminator vibes.

From

The vast majority of attendees identify as LGBTQ+, and while the door is technically open to all, it’s the ones who show up transformed — glistening, feathered, glammed out — who are whisked in the quickest.

From

An array of whole peeled tangerines, strawberries, hawthorn berries and green and red grapes glistened on my phone screen like jewels you only admire but can’t touch.

From

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