glow
gloh
Glow (verb) means to give off a steady light, often without a visible flame. Example: “The embers continued to glow long after the fire had died down.”
verb
1
To give off a steady light, often without a visible flame.
"The embers continued to glow long after the fire had died down."
"Her phone screen glowed in the dark room."
"The stars on his bedroom ceiling glow softly after the lights go out."
2
To show strong emotion or health through your face or expression.
"She was glowing with pride at her daughter's graduation."
"The bride glowed with happiness as she walked down the aisle."
"After a week by the sea, his cheeks glowed with health."
noun
1
A soft, steady light or warmth.
"The candles cast a warm glow over the table."
"We could see the glow of the town on the horizon."
"A gentle glow from the fireplace made the room feel cosy."
How to use glow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shine softly, or to visibly radiate good health, pride, or emotion.
Common pairings
glow in the dark
a warm glow
glowing with pride
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Word forms
- Plural
- glows
- Third person singular
- glows
- Past tense
- glowed, glew, glown
- Archaic forms
- glowest, glowedst, gloweth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The embers continued to _____ long after the fire had died down.
Etymology
From Old English glowan, "to glow," from an ancient Germanic root meaning to shine or be radiant — possibly related to "glass."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for glow
See all rhymes for glow →Frequently asked questions
What does “glow” mean?
The word “glow” means to give off a steady light, often without a visible flame. In plain terms, to shine softly, or to visibly radiate good health, pride, or emotion.
How do you pronounce “glow”?
“Glow” is pronounced gloh (/ɡloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “glow” in a sentence?
Here is “glow” used in a sentence: “The embers continued to glow long after the fire had died down.”
What part of speech is “glow”?
Depending on how it is used, “glow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “glow” come from?
The word “glow” comes from Old English. From Old English glowan, "to glow," from an ancient Germanic root meaning to shine or be radiant — possibly related to "glass.".
Is “glow” a common word?
“Glow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “glow” have?
“Glow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give off a steady light, often without a visible flame.
What is the difference between glow and shine?
A glow is a soft, steady light often given off without a flame, like embers or a screen, while a shine is usually a brighter, harder light reflected from a surface. Glow suggests warmth and gentleness, whereas shine suggests brightness and gloss.
What is the difference between glow and gleam?
A glow is a soft, diffuse, steady light, whereas a gleam is a brief, bright flash or ray of light, often reflected. A candle glows steadily, but a polished surface gleams.
What are common collocations with glow?
Glow often appears in phrases such as 'a warm glow,' 'a healthy glow,' 'glow with pride,' and 'the glow of the fire.' The phrase 'a warm glow' can also describe a comforting, contented feeling.
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