glimpse
GLIHMS
Glimpse (noun) means a brief, incomplete view of something. Example: “She caught a glimpse of the singer as the car sped past.”
noun
1
A brief, incomplete view of something.
"She caught a glimpse of the singer as the car sped past."
"The documentary offers a glimpse into life inside the palace."
"I only got a quick glimpse of the deer before it vanished."
verb
1
To see something briefly and incompletely.
"He glimpsed a figure moving in the darkness."
"She glimpsed her old friend in the crowd at the station."
"From the train window, we glimpsed the sea between the hills."
How to use glimpse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick, partial look at something, or to see something that way.
Common mistake
A glimpse is about the view being incomplete or obscured; a glance is about the look being brief, but the thing seen can be in full view.
Common pairings
catch a glimpse
brief glimpse
glimpse of the future
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like glimpse.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- glimpses
- Third person singular
- glimpses
- Past tense
- glimpsed
- Archaic forms
- glimpsest, glimpsedst, glimpseth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She caught a _____ of the singer as the car sped past.
Etymology
From an obsolete Middle English word glimsen, meaning "to glisten" or "to glance with the eyes," related to glimmer.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “glimpse” mean?
The word “glimpse” means a brief, incomplete view of something. In plain terms, a quick, partial look at something, or to see something that way.
How do you pronounce “glimpse”?
“Glimpse” is pronounced GLIHMS (/ˈɡlɪm(p)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “glimpse” in a sentence?
Here is “glimpse” used in a sentence: “She caught a glimpse of the singer as the car sped past.”
What part of speech is “glimpse”?
Depending on how it is used, “glimpse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “glimpse” come from?
The word “glimpse” comes from Middle English. From an obsolete Middle English word glimsen, meaning "to glisten" or "to glance with the eyes," related to glimmer.
Is “glimpse” a common word?
“Glimpse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “glimpse” have?
“Glimpse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief, incomplete view of something.
What is the difference between a glimpse and a glance?
A glimpse describes a brief, incomplete view of something you catch, often unintentionally, while a glance is the deliberate quick look you take at something. You give a glance but get a glimpse, since the glimpse describes what you see rather than the act of looking.
Can 'glimpse' be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, glimpse works as a noun ("I caught a glimpse of the mountains") and as a verb ("I glimpsed the mountains through the clouds"). Both forms describe seeing something briefly and incompletely, so the choice depends on whether you want to name the sighting or describe the act of seeing.
What is the correct preposition to use with 'glimpse'?
The standard phrase is "a glimpse of" something, as in "a glimpse of the future" or "a glimpse of her smile." "Catch a glimpse" is the most common collocation, describing an unexpected or fleeting sighting.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include glimpse:
