glittering

2 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

adjective
/ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/

: brillante

The lake was glittering with reflections of the sunlight, creating a breathtaking view.
a glittering gown
a glittering prize
glittering eyes

Great atu, and with eyes like ancient seas and a brain the size of a continent through which thoughts move like little glittering glaciers.

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Examples

SHE LIVED ATOP A HILL IN A GLITTERING CASTLE.

Cats Don't Dance (1997)
All the young dancer could see in the shadow of his cowl were his small, cold, glittering eyes.

Fiction book (1992)
So imagine a big glittering gold shell.
And we can see the stars putting on their glittering belts.
I like that subtle, just glittering moment.
It's so glittering and so somber at the same time.

Blog text (14)
Freshly polished and glittering, that was the world.
She was looking at him with intense, glittering eyes and a small, tight-lipped smile.

Fiction book (1993)
Las Vegas is world-famous for its vivid, glittering lights.

Blog text (6)
She loved to see their hands clamped together or soaring in salute, their chins held high and arrogant, their happy, glittering eyes and triumphant teeth.

Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

bright

vsglittering

459 1.0

Full of strong light that makes a place easy to see

emphasizes many small flashing points rather than general strong light

shiny

vsglittering

302 1.0

Bright and smooth because it reflects light

relies on many flashing points rather than overall smooth reflection

radiant

vsglittering

64 4.1

Shining or glowing brightly, often seeming very happy

is about many small flashing points rather than steady glowing light

luminous

vsglittering

38 4.8

Shining with a soft steady light like a lantern

shows many bright flashing points rather than a gentle steady glow

sparkly

vsglittering

30 2.3

Shining with many small bright points like glitter

emphasizes a broad brilliant illumination rather than only small points

brilliant

vsglittering

30 3.0

Very bright and shining with strong light

focuses on many small bright flashes rather than a single intense light

glittery

vsglittering

11 2.7

Shining with many small, bright points of light

has identical meaning but ends with -y instead of -ing

lustrous

vsglittering

9 5.3

Shining with a soft, smooth glow like polished pearls

focuses on many small flashing points rather than smooth reflective shine

sparkling

vsglittering

5 1.3

Shining with small bright points like light on snow

focuses on many tiny flashing points rather than a general lively shine

shimmery

vsglittering

3 5.0

A soft, flickering shine that gently catches the light

means many bright flashing points rather than a soft faint wavering shine

dazzling

vsglittering

2 3.1

So bright that it is hard to see

describes many small flashing points rather than overwhelming intense brightness

glaring

vsglittering

1 3.8

A very bright light that hurts your eyes

is about many bright flashing points rather than a single blinding intensity

spangly

vsglittering

1 7.9

Covered with small shiny pieces like sequins that reflect light

describes many small bright flashes as a surface effect not decoration

shining

vsglittering

1 1.0

Bright and reflecting light because it is clean or polished

means many small bright flashing points rather than a general polished shine

scintillating

vsglittering

1 8.2

Sparkling with small bright flashes of light

is about many bright flashing points rather than only quick flashes

blazing

vsglittering

1 3.5

Shining very brightly like the sun

shows many flashing points rather than one strong intense shine

glistering

vsglittering

Archaic

7.9

Shining with small bright points like light on water

focuses on many flashing points rather than only brief single flashes

glinting

vsglittering

3.6

Shines with small bright flashes of light

is about many bright flashing points rather than intermittent single flashes

scintillant

vsglittering

Literature

9.9

Shining with many small bright flashes of light

expresses many continuous flashes rather than brief intermittent sparks

coruscant

vsglittering

Literature

9.9

Shining with quick, bright flashes like sparks

stresses many bright flashing points rather than brief flashes

aglitter

vsglittering

Literature

8.1

Shining with many small bright points of light

covers many small flashing points rather than general brightness

twinkling

vsglittering

3.3

Shining with small bright flashes of light

is about steady many bright points rather than intermittent flickers

gleamy

vsglittering

4.2

A smooth shiny surface that reflects light

prefers many small flashing points to general reflected shine

gleaming

vsglittering

3.2

Shining with a bright, smooth surface like shiny metal

uses many flashing points instead of a steady polished glow

glistening

vsglittering

3.4

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

emphasizes reflective wet smooth shine rather than many flashing points

fulgid

vsglittering

Literature

9.9

Shining very brightly with small flashes of light

is about many small consistent flashes rather than occasional brief points

beamy

vsglittering

8.6

Shining with bright light or looking very happy

focuses on discrete small flashing points rather than emitted rays

Antonyms

dim

62 1.0

Not bright and having only a little light

dull

31 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

How Bright

dazzling

39 3.9

glittering

2 3.0

radiant

64 4.1

shining

1 1.0

dim

62 1.0

Surface Forms

glittering positive

glitterier comparative

glitteriest superlative

Morphology

glittering = glitter (transparent) = glitter + ing

Standard adjectival use of the verb 'glitter' with '-ing' yields the meaning 'shining/sparkling', directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

The word glittering comes from glitter, an old verb meaning 'to shine' or 'to flash', and is like the short word glint which means a small quick shine. So, something glittering has many small bright points of light and looks to sparkle.