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to glitter

to glitter

52 1.3
To shine with many small bright points of light on something
  • verb
  • /ˈɡlɪtər/
translation icon : brillar
  • Light flared back at her, glittering as though from a hundred, a thousand tiny mirrors.
  • stars glitter
  • glitter with gold

Yeah, Rockstar, get your show on, get paid and all that glitters is gold.

Examples

  • Her face was bright red, and her blue eyes glittered when she turned to look up at me.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • And the way that they glitter and sparkle is so beautiful.

  • Their rifles with their bayonets, trained at the gate, were glittering in the morning sun.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • A splendid tree, covered with a lifetime's collection of glass ornaments, glittered in the living room.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Many centuries ago, a Chinese poet foresaw a Hong Kong that glittered like the stars in the heavens.

  • In slow motion, they move in herds among the glittering rows of cars jammed bumper to bumper.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The diamonds glitter in the light, creating a beautiful display.

  • As the sun rose, the ocean began to glitter with tiny sparkling reflections.

  • The decorations on the tree glittered beautifully during the holiday party.

Synonyms

to shine
vsto glitter
428 1.0

To send out or reflect light and look bright

is more specifically bright and sparkling with many small flashes
to gleam
vsto glitter
70 1.9

To shine softly, often on a smooth or wet surface

is brighter and more vividly sparkling rather than gently shining
to shimmer
vsto glitter
51 4.3

To shine with a soft, slightly moving light

is steadier and brighter, giving an impression of many small sparkles
to glisten
vsto glitter
49 4.1

Shine with a soft light, like when wet or polished

is stronger and shows many small, vivid sparkles rather than just soft shine
to twinkle
vsto glitter
26 1.5

To shine with small quick flashes of light, often in eyes or stars

is steadier and more continuously sparkling rather than quick flashes
to glint
vsto glitter
19 3.9

To shine briefly with a small flash as light bounces off something

is longer lasting and shows many little, bright shimmering points
to glimmer
vsto glitter
12 3.9

To shine with a weak, unsteady light

is much brighter and shows clear, vivid shimmering points
to catch the light
vsto glitter
4 4.0

Shine or sparkle when light hits them

is more about many tiny, bright sparkles than a single striking reflection
to glare
vsto glitter
4 3.3

To shine with a bright, harsh light that hurts your eyes

is brighter but pleasant, showing many small sparkling highlights instead of harsh light
to spangle
vsto glitter
1 7.4

To shine as if covered with small shiny pieces

is similar but means shining from many tiny moving sparkles
to glister
vsto glitter
  • Archaic
1 8.8

To shine with small bright flashes

is more about a continuous bright shimmer from many small sparkles
to sheen
vsto glitter
1 4.0

To have a soft, smooth bright appearance

is more about many tiny, distinct sparkles rather than an even glow

Antonyms

531 1.2

To slowly become less visible, bright, or loud

63 3.3

Make or become less bright, for example a room

How Bright

to sparkle
26 1.0
to glitter
52 1.3
to shimmer
51 4.3
to gleam
70 1.9
to glow
161 1.2
glint
20 2.9
to glimmer
12 3.9

Surface Forms

glitter infinitive
glittered past
glittered past participle
glittering present participle
glitters third person singular

Etymology

Glitter as a verb comes from the same old idea of 'to shine' and is like the verb glisten, so when dew or a ring glitters it gives quick, bright flashes of light.