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Glite Dictionary
one glance

one glance

4 1.9
A quick look that gives enough information at once
  • noun
  • /wʌn ɡlæns/
translation icon : una mirada
  • One glance at the map was all I needed to find the quickest route.

But this is organized just how I like it so that I can look at the whole week in one glance and just kind of overview everything.

Examples

  • With one glance, she could tell he was upset about something.

  • One glance at his manuscript told me what might have happened.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Each knew where the other wanted to go, what she wanted to do, with one glance.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Their eyes met, an entire conversation in one glance.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The girl avoided his eyes, but did give him one glance before asking a question.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • One glance from those eyes should have made her shiver in her shoes.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • But this is organized just how I like it so that I can look at the whole week in one glance and just kind of overview everything.

    Zoe Hong

  • One glance and I realized that Cleetis was doing a very good job dealing with his feelings.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • One glance at his man-servant's face told him that something important was afoot.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • One glance over his shoulder revealed the tearful faces of Ellis.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

glance
vsone glance
222 1.4

A quick look that lasts a short time

gives more useful information rather than just a quick hurried look
glimpse
vsone glance
170 3.0

A very short look at something you see quickly

gives a fuller quick observation rather than a partial short view
at first glance
vsone glance
32 3.5

You notice something before you look more closely

gives a single quick observation that usually provides enough information
gander
vsone glance
  • Informal
14 7.1

A quick look at something

gives a focused single observation, not just a casual peek
at a glance
vsone glance
9 3.0

With a quick look you notice something right away

gives a single quick observation often supplying enough information

Antonyms

gaze
147 2.1

A long steady look at someone or something

How Long

stare
108 1.0
gaze
147 2.1
one glance
4 1.9

Surface Forms

one glance singular
one glances plural

Morphology

one + glance

The meaning 'a single quick look' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'one' (a single) with 'glance' (a brief look). This determiner + noun composition is common across languages and follows standard English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

One glance comes from the simple image of taking one quick glance, a very fast look that takes in a whole scene at once. So, it means 'a single quick look that gives enough information'.