gleam
gleem
Gleam (noun) means a brief or faint flash of light. Example: “A gleam of sunlight broke through the clouds.”
noun
1
A brief or faint flash of light.
"A gleam of sunlight broke through the clouds."
"There was a gleam in her eye as she opened the gift."
verb
1
To shine faintly or briefly.
"The polished silver gleamed under the chandelier."
How to use gleam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, brief shine, or to give off one — often used for a look of excitement in someone's eyes.
Common pairings
a gleam of hope
a gleam in her eye
gleam in the sunlight
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Word forms
- Plural
- gleams
- Third person singular
- gleams
- Past tense
- gleamed
- Archaic forms
- gleamest, gleamedst, gleameth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of sunlight broke through the clouds.
Etymology
From Old English glæm, "a shaft of light or radiance," from a Germanic root meaning "brightness" or "splendour."
Related words
Rhymes for gleam
See all rhymes for gleam →Frequently asked questions
What does “gleam” mean?
The word “gleam” means a brief or faint flash of light. In plain terms, a soft, brief shine, or to give off one — often used for a look of excitement in someone's eyes.
How do you pronounce “gleam”?
“Gleam” is pronounced gleem (/ɡlim/ in IPA).
How do you use “gleam” in a sentence?
Here is “gleam” used in a sentence: “A gleam of sunlight broke through the clouds.”
What part of speech is “gleam”?
Depending on how it is used, “gleam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gleam” come from?
The word “gleam” comes from Old English. From Old English glæm, "a shaft of light or radiance," from a Germanic root meaning "brightness" or "splendour.".
How many meanings does “gleam” have?
“Gleam” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief or faint flash of light.
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