glance
glahns
Glance (verb) means to take a quick, brief look at something. Example: “I glanced out of the window to check whether it had started raining.”
verb
1
To take a quick, brief look at something.
"I glanced out of the window to check whether it had started raining."
"She glanced at her watch during the meeting."
"He glanced over the report before signing it."
2
To strike something at an angle and bounce off in another direction, rather than hitting it straight on.
"The ball glanced off the edge of his bat and rolled towards the boundary."
"The arrow glanced off the shield and flew into the bushes."
"The bullet glanced off the car door."
noun
1
A quick, brief look.
"With a quick glance over her shoulder, she crossed the empty street."
"One glance at his face told her something was wrong."
"They exchanged a nervous glance before answering."
How to use glance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick look, or (for objects) to bounce off something at an angle instead of hitting it directly.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "gaze" (a long, steady look) or "glimpse" (a brief, incomplete view, often of something moving or partly hidden).
Common pairings
glance at
glance up
glance over
a quick glance
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Word forms
- Plural
- glances
- Third person singular
- glances
- Past tense
- glanced
- Archaic forms
- glancest, glancedst, glanceth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ out of the window to check whether it had started raining.
Etymology
From Middle English glenchen, "to strike a glancing blow" or "to dodge aside," blending an Old French word for sliding on ice with another meaning "to swerve or dodge."
Related words
Rhymes for glance
See all rhymes for glance →Frequently asked questions
What does “glance” mean?
The word “glance” means to take a quick, brief look at something. In plain terms, a quick look, or (for objects) to bounce off something at an angle instead of hitting it directly.
How do you pronounce “glance”?
“Glance” is pronounced glahns (/ɡlæns/ in IPA).
How do you use “glance” in a sentence?
Here is “glance” used in a sentence: “She glanced at her watch during the meeting.”
What is another word for “glance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “glance” include gleg, glimpse and shufti.
What part of speech is “glance”?
Depending on how it is used, “glance” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “glance” come from?
The word “glance” comes from Old French. From Middle English glenchen, "to strike a glancing blow" or "to dodge aside," blending an Old French word for sliding on ice with another meaning "to swerve or dodge.".
Is “glance” a common word?
“Glance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “glance” have?
“Glance” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take a quick, brief look at something.
What is the difference between glance and glimpse?
A glance is a quick, deliberate look that you choose to take, while a glimpse is a brief, often accidental sight of something, usually incomplete. In practice, you give a glance but you catch a glimpse.
What is the difference between glance and stare?
A glance is a very quick, brief look, whereas a stare is a long, fixed, and often intense look. They sit at opposite ends of the scale for how long you look at something.
What are common collocations with glance?
Common phrases include 'at first glance,' 'a sidelong glance,' 'steal a glance,' and 'exchange glances.' The expression 'at a glance' means you can see or understand something instantly.
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