glare
gleh-uh
Glare (noun) means a harsh, dazzling light. Example: “The glare off the snow made it hard to see the road ahead.”
noun
1
A harsh, dazzling light.
"The glare off the snow made it hard to see the road ahead."
"She shielded her eyes from the glare of the headlights."
2
An angry, fierce stare.
"He gave the referee a glare after the decision."
verb
1
To stare angrily at someone.
"She glared at him across the room."
"The teacher glared at the students who were talking."
2
To shine with a harsh, dazzling light.
"The midday sun glared down on the desert."
How to use glare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a blinding bright light, or a hostile, fixed stare — and, as a verb, to produce either.
Common pairings
glare of the sun
give someone a glare
glare angrily
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Word forms
- Plural
- glares
- Third person singular
- glares
- Past tense
- glared
- Comparative
- more glare
- Superlative
- most glare
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ off the snow made it hard to see the road ahead.
Etymology
From Middle English glaren, related to Old English and Germanic words meaning "to glisten" or "to shine brightly" — the same root family as glass and glower.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for glare
See all rhymes for glare →Frequently asked questions
What does “glare” mean?
The word “glare” means a harsh, dazzling light. In plain terms, either a blinding bright light, or a hostile, fixed stare — and, as a verb, to produce either.
How do you pronounce “glare”?
“Glare” is pronounced gleh-uh (/ɡlɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “glare” in a sentence?
Here is “glare” used in a sentence: “The glare off the snow made it hard to see the road ahead.”
What part of speech is “glare”?
Depending on how it is used, “glare” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “glare” come from?
The word “glare” comes from Old English. From Middle English glaren, related to Old English and Germanic words meaning "to glisten" or "to shine brightly" — the same root family as glass and glower.
Is “glare” a common word?
“Glare” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “glare” have?
“Glare” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a harsh, dazzling light.
