glimmer
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for glimmer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A faint, unsteady light.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A faint, unsteady light.
“A glimmer of candlelight showed under the door.”
Opposites
2. verb
To shine with a faint, flickering light.
“The stars glimmered faintly above the city lights.”
How to use glimmer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
glimmer of hope
faint glimmer
glimmer of light
Etymology
From Middle English glimeren, formed from an old root meaning "to shine" plus a suffix showing repeated action — a doublet of glimpse.
Full origin of glimmer →Frequently asked questions
What does “glimmer” mean?
The word “glimmer” means a faint, unsteady light. In plain terms, a weak, flickering light, often used figuratively for a small trace of hope or possibility.
How do you pronounce “glimmer”?
“Glimmer” is pronounced GLIH-muh (/ˈɡlɪmɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “glimmer” in a sentence?
Here is “glimmer” used in a sentence: “A glimmer of candlelight showed under the door.”
What part of speech is “glimmer”?
Depending on how it is used, “glimmer” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “glimmer” come from?
The word “glimmer” comes from Middle English. From Middle English glimeren, formed from an old root meaning "to shine" plus a suffix showing repeated action — a doublet of glimpse.
How many meanings does “glimmer” have?
“Glimmer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a faint, unsteady light.
