shimmer
5 synonyms for shimmer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To shine with a soft, faint, flickering light.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To shine with a soft, faint, flickering light.
“The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun.”
How to use shimmer
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a shimmer of light
shimmer in the sun
Etymology
From Old English sċimerian, related to German schimmern — both describing a faint, trembling gleam of light.
Full origin of shimmer →Frequently asked questions
What does “shimmer” mean?
The word “shimmer” means to shine with a soft, faint, flickering light. In plain terms, a soft, unsteady sparkle or gleam of light, or the act of producing one.
How do you pronounce “shimmer”?
“Shimmer” is pronounced SHIHM-uh (/ˈʃɪm.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shimmer” in a sentence?
Here is “shimmer” used in a sentence: “The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun.”
What part of speech is “shimmer”?
Depending on how it is used, “shimmer” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shimmer” come from?
The word “shimmer” comes from Old English. From Old English sċimerian, related to German schimmern — both describing a faint, trembling gleam of light.
How many meanings does “shimmer” have?
“Shimmer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shine with a soft, faint, flickering light.
