glimpse

1 of 2

verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

transitive verb

: to get a brief look at

glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

intransitive verb

1

: to look briefly

glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside

2

archaic : glimmer

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2

noun

1

: a fleeting view or look

caught only a glimpse of the mugger

2

archaic : glimmer

Synonyms of glimpse

Verb

• peek
• glance

Noun

• glance
• peek
• look

Examples of glimpse in a Sentence

Verb

We glimpsed him through the window as his car sped past.

just glimpsed at the photo then turned his attention elsewhere

Noun

We caught a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past.

I only got a glimpse of him as we drove by.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are cities where rats are glimpsed at night, furtively scurrying into a dark corner or among the train tracks. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2026

For years, marshy land east of Fort Worth’s Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility was the prime destination in Tarrant County for bird watchers, offering a chance to glimpse a wide array of avian species from across North America. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Noun

Brown recently gave fans a first glimpse at the couple’s newest addition in an Instagram debut shared on September 17, shortly after People reported that the couple had adopted a second child. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026

The fans in Auburn, Alabama, came out, leaning from ramps and peeking from tents to catch a glimpse of their new administrations, each in their first SEC duel of the year. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glimsen; akin to Middle High German glimsen to glimmer, Old English glǣm gleam

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for glimpse

• chimps
• limps
• pimps
• shrimps

Kids Definition

glimpse

1 of 2 verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

: to take a brief look : see momentarily or incompletely

glimpsed the deer running

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2 noun

: a short hurried view

catch a glimpse of something rushing by