gleamy

4.2

A smooth shiny surface that reflects light

adjective

: brillante

The diamond had a gleamy surface that sparkled in the sunlight.

Examples

Bo Catlett barely glances at the bodyguards, smiles the gleamy smile to the Latin guy in front of him...

Fiction book (1995)
What? Her hair is kind of dishwater blond, but gleamy.

Fiction book (1996)
Only to be replaced fifty strides farther by another, gleamier item.

Fiction book (1996)
The new car's paint had a gleamy finish that caught everyone's attention.
Her dress was adorned with gleamy sequins that shimmered during the party.

Synonyms

bright

vsgleamy

459 1.0

Full of strong light that makes a place easy to see

can include milder reflected light as well

shiny

vsgleamy

302 1.0

Bright and smooth because it reflects light

also covers softer, less perfect reflections of light

radiant

vsgleamy

64 4.1

Shining or glowing brightly, often seeming very happy

focuses on reflected light rather than seeming to emit it

glossy

vsgleamy

34 2.6

Having a smooth shiny surface that reflects light like paper or hair

includes natural or softer reflective qualities too

sparkly

vsgleamy

30 2.3

Shining with many small bright points like glitter

is about general surface reflection, not many small flashes

glittery

vsgleamy

11 2.7

Shining with many small, bright points of light

is a single reflected shine rather than a glitter effect

lustrous

vsgleamy

9 5.3

Shining with a soft, smooth glow like polished pearls

is similar but also includes sharper bright reflections

glowy

vsgleamy

5 5.6

A soft bright look that seems to shine from within

can mean that glow or a clearer surface reflection

sparkling

vsgleamy

5 1.3

Shining with small bright points like light on snow

can describe similar brightness but also softer reflection

shimmery

vsgleamy

3 5.0

A soft, flickering shine that gently catches the light

can be that wavering light or a steady reflected gleam

glittering

vsgleamy

2 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

focuses on smooth reflected light rather than many small flashes

shining

vsgleamy

1 1.0

Bright and reflecting light because it is clean or polished

can mean the same but also softer, gentler reflections

sheeny

vsgleamy

1 6.7

Having a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light

can be that but also a softer, less glossy shine

burnished

vsgleamy

1 6.5

Has a smooth shiny surface after polishing

can be natural reflection rather than polish made shine

spangly

vsgleamy

1 7.9

Covered with small shiny pieces like sequins that reflect light

describes overall reflection, not decorated reflective covering

lambent

vsgleamy

Literature

1 9.6

A soft, gentle light that seems to move

is steadier and covers both flicker and steady shine

specular

vsgleamy

Specialized

1 8.5

A shiny surface that reflects light like a mirror

is broader, including imperfect or soft mirrorlike reflections

gleaming

vsgleamy

3.2

A bright shine made when light bounces off a surface

is broader, including both bright and softer reflected light

glistening

vsgleamy

3.4

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

covers that reflected look and drier soft gleams too

beamy

vsgleamy

8.6

Shining with bright light or looking very happy

focuses on reflected light rather than seeming to emit it

lightful

vsgleamy

Archaic

7.7

Full of bright light

can be that brightness or a gentler reflected gleam

glinting

vsgleamy

3.6

Shines with small bright flashes of light

is steadier and describes continuous reflected light rather than flashes

glistering

vsgleamy

Archaic

7.9

Shining with small bright points like light on water

is broader, covering smooth continuous reflections too

tinselly

vsgleamy

7.4

Shiny and showy but cheap, like tinsel

can be plain reflective without being showy or fake

Antonyms

dull

31 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

How Shiny

dazzling

39 3.9

lustrous

9 5.3

gleamy

4.2

glossy

34 2.6

matte

2 3.5

Surface Forms

gleamy positive

Morphology

gleamy = gleam (transparent) = gleam + y

Clearly formed from the noun/verb 'gleam' with the productive adjectival suffix '-y' meaning 'having or characterized by'.

Etymology

Gleamy comes from the simple word gleam, which means 'a small bright flash or light', and the ending -y makes a word mean 'full of' or 'like' that quality. So, gleamy means 'shiny' or 'reflecting light'.