glistering

7.9

Shining with small bright points like light on water

adjective
/ˈɡlɪstərɪŋ/

Archaic

: brillante

The diamonds on her necklace were glistering, catching everyone's attention.

Her deciduous burlesque, her glistering things falling on the old cider mill.

Examples

And you get there and you see the glistering telescope domes on the horizon waiting for you.
Her deciduous burlesque, her glistering things falling on the old cider mill.

Harvard University
The night sky was filled with glistering stars that twinkled brightly.
The glistering lake reflected the sunlight, creating a dazzling view.

Synonyms

bright

vsglistering

459 1.0

Full of strong light that makes a place easy to see

contrasts by meaning short, brilliant points and flashing rather than steady light

sparkly

vsglistering

30 2.3

Shining with many small bright points like glitter

is more about brief brilliant flashes rather than just many small shines

brilliant

vsglistering

30 3.0

Very bright and shining with strong light

focuses on brief bright points and intermittent flashes rather than sustained intensity

glittery

vsglistering

11 2.7

Shining with many small, bright points of light

focuses on short brilliant points rather than general large-scale shine

sparkling

vsglistering

5 1.3

Shining with small bright points like light on snow

is narrower, highlighting brief bright points rather than lively overall shine

shimmery

vsglistering

3 5.0

A soft, flickering shine that gently catches the light

is sharper, giving brief brilliant points rather than soft wavering light

dazzling

vsglistering

2 3.1

So bright that it is hard to see

uses brief brilliant flashes rather than an overpowering continuous brightness

glittering

vsglistering

2 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

is similar but stresses brief brilliant flashes rather than overall brightness

shining

vsglistering

1 1.0

Bright and reflecting light because it is clean or polished

is focused on quick brilliant points rather than general polished gleam

glaring

vsglistering

1 3.8

A very bright light that hurts your eyes

is characterized by short bright points or flashes rather than blinding steadiness

scintillating

vsglistering

1 8.2

Sparkling with small bright flashes of light

is specifically about brief brilliant points or flashes rather than steady shine

blazing

vsglistering

1 3.5

Shining very brightly like the sun

is about quick brilliant points and flashes instead of prolonged intense light

scintillant

vsglistering

Literature

9.9

Shining with many small bright flashes of light

is focused on short brilliant points of light rather than continuous glow

coruscant

vsglistering

Literature

9.9

Shining with quick, bright flashes like sparks

is the same idea but emphasizes short, brilliant points rather than steady light

glinting

vsglistering

3.6

Shines with small bright flashes of light

is about quick brilliant points or flashes rather than a steady reflection

fulgid

vsglistering

Literature

9.9

Shining very brightly with small flashes of light

is defined by brief bright points rather than prolonged luminosity

twinkling

vsglistering

3.3

Shining with small bright flashes of light

is concerned with brief brilliant points rather than soft, steady twinkle

aglitter

vsglistering

Literature

8.1

Shining with many small bright points of light

is about short brilliant points rather than simply being covered in sparkles

glistening

vsglistering

3.4

Shining with bright light, often because it is wet or smooth

uses brief brilliant points or flashes rather than continuous reflected shine

gleamy

vsglistering

4.2

A smooth shiny surface that reflects light

is more about brief, brilliant points and quick flashes than steady reflection

beamy

vsglistering

8.6

Shining with bright light or looking very happy

is less continuous and instead shows short brilliant flashing points

flaming

vsglistering

1.8

Burning with a bright fire or very bright color

is about short brilliant flashing points rather than fiery continuous brightness

Antonyms

dull

31 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

matte

2 3.5

Not shiny and showing little reflection

How Bright

dazzling

39 3.9

glistering

Archaic

7.9

sparkling

5 1.3

shining

1 1.0

dim

62 1.0

Surface Forms

glistering positive

Morphology

glistering = glister (semi-transparent) = glister + ing

Formed regularly from the verb 'glister' + '-ing' so the meaning is predictable, but 'glister' is an uncommon/archaic verb that many learners may not recognize.

Etymology

Glistering is like the words glisten and glitter, coming from an old English root that meant 'to shine in small, bright flashes'. So glistering describes something sparkling or shining with bright points of light.