verb
C2
Proficient
shimmer
SHIHM-uh
Shimmer (verb) means to shine with a soft, faint, flickering light. Example: “The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun.”
verb
1
To shine with a soft, faint, flickering light.
"The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun."
"Her dress shimmered as she moved across the dance floor."
noun
1
A faint, wavering gleam of light.
"There was a shimmer of heat rising from the road."
How to use shimmer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, unsteady sparkle or gleam of light, or the act of producing one.
Common pairings
a shimmer of light
shimmer in the sun
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Word forms
- Plural
- shimmers
- Third person singular
- shimmers
- Past tense
- shimmered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lake _____ under the afternoon sun.
Etymology
From Old English sċimerian, related to German schimmern — both describing a faint, trembling gleam of light.
Related words
Rhymes for shimmer
See all rhymes for shimmer →Frequently asked questions
What does “shimmer” mean?
The word “shimmer” means to shine with a soft, faint, flickering light. In plain terms, a soft, unsteady sparkle or gleam of light, or the act of producing one.
How do you pronounce “shimmer”?
“Shimmer” is pronounced SHIHM-uh (/ˈʃɪm.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shimmer” in a sentence?
Here is “shimmer” used in a sentence: “The lake shimmered under the afternoon sun.”
What part of speech is “shimmer”?
Depending on how it is used, “shimmer” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “shimmer” come from?
The word “shimmer” comes from Old English. From Old English sċimerian, related to German schimmern — both describing a faint, trembling gleam of light.
How many meanings does “shimmer” have?
“Shimmer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shine with a soft, faint, flickering light.
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