noun
Uncommon
glitter
GLIH-tuh
Glitter (noun) means Tiny, shiny decorative particles, or a sparkling light. Example: “She covered the card in glitter for the party.”
noun
1
Tiny, shiny decorative particles, or a sparkling light.
"She covered the card in glitter for the party."
"The glitter of the chandelier lit up the ballroom."
verb
1
To sparkle with bright, flickering light.
"The sea glittered under the afternoon sun."
How to use glitter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSparkly light or sparkly decoration, or to shine that way.
Common mistake
Figuratively, "all that glitters is not gold" — meaning something attractive on the surface may not be genuinely valuable.
Common pairings
glitter and glue
glitter in the sunlight
covered in glitter
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Word forms
- Plural
- glitters
- Third person singular
- glitters
- Past tense
- glittered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She covered the card in _____ for the party.
Etymology
From Old Norse glitra, "to glitter," from a Germanic root shared with words for shining or gleaming.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for glitter
See all rhymes for glitter →Frequently asked questions
What does “glitter” mean?
The word “glitter” means tiny, shiny decorative particles, or a sparkling light. In plain terms, sparkly light or sparkly decoration, or to shine that way.
How do you pronounce “glitter”?
“Glitter” is pronounced GLIH-tuh (/ˈɡlɪtəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “glitter” in a sentence?
Here is “glitter” used in a sentence: “She covered the card in glitter for the party.”
What part of speech is “glitter”?
Depending on how it is used, “glitter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “glitter” come from?
The word “glitter” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse glitra, "to glitter," from a Germanic root shared with words for shining or gleaming.
Is “glitter” a common word?
“Glitter” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “glitter” have?
“Glitter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: tiny, shiny decorative particles, or a sparkling light.
What is the difference between "glitter" and "sparkle"?
As a verb, "glitter" describes shining with a bright, flickering light, often from many small points, while "sparkle" can describe a similar flickering brightness but is also used more broadly for liveliness or wit. As a noun, "glitter" specifically refers to the tiny shiny decorative particles used in crafts and makeup, a meaning "sparkle" does not share.
What is the difference between "glitter" and "glisten"?
"Glitter" describes a flickering, sparkling light, often from many tiny reflective points, while "glisten" describes a smoother, wet or polished shine, like skin or water in sunlight. Glitter suggests multiple flashes of light; glisten suggests a single, glossy sheen.
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