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adj Uncommon

glowing

GLOH-ihng

Glowing (adj) means giving off light or warmth. Example: “The glowing coals kept the tent warm all night.”

adj
1
Giving off light or warmth.
"The glowing coals kept the tent warm all night."
2
Highly complimentary or full of praise.
"She got a glowing recommendation from her former manager."

How to use glowing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShining, or (of praise) enthusiastic and full of admiration.

Common pairings
glowing review glowing recommendation glowing embers

Word forms

more glowing comparative, glowings plural, most glowing superlative

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Test yourself on “glowing” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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The _____ coals kept the tent warm all night.

Related words

Rhymes for glowing

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Frequently asked questions

What does “glowing” mean?

The word “glowing” means giving off light or warmth. In plain terms, shining, or (of praise) enthusiastic and full of admiration.

How do you pronounce “glowing”?

“Glowing” is pronounced GLOH-ihng (/ˈɡloʊɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “glowing” in a sentence?

Here is “glowing” used in a sentence: “The glowing coals kept the tent warm all night.”

What part of speech is “glowing”?

“Glowing” is an adjective.

Is “glowing” a common word?

“Glowing” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “glowing” have?

“Glowing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: giving off light or warmth.

What is the difference between 'glowing' light and a 'glowing' review?

When describing light, glowing means giving off light or warmth, as in "glowing embers." When describing praise, glowing means highly complimentary or full of praise, as in "glowing reviews," a figurative extension of the idea of radiating warmth onto the subject being praised.

What is the difference between 'glowing' and 'shining'?

Glowing typically describes a soft, steady, often warm light, such as embers or a screen in the dark, while shining suggests a brighter, more direct reflection or emission of light. Only glowing carries the figurative sense of enthusiastic praise, as in a "glowing recommendation."

What kind of nouns commonly follow 'glowing' in praise contexts?

Common collocations include "glowing review," "glowing report," "glowing recommendation," and "glowing terms," all describing praise that is enthusiastic and highly favorable. These phrases use the figurative sense of glowing rather than the literal sense of emitting light.

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