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

Balancing on a light pole in New York’s Battery Park, Elver and Vanessa Radke attempted to glimpse the tall ships' white sails. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 5 July 2026

While Swift's public outings in Rhode Island have dwindled of late, the Westerly homeowner has been glimpsed around town as recently as April 2025. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

Noun

Earlier this week, the Princess of Wales shared a glimpse into her completion of the National Three Peaks Challenge, an endurance event that required her to hike the tallest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026

Amy Schumer gave fans a glimpse at her Fourth of July festivities in an Instagram Stories post, sharing a group photo of herself posing in a blue swimsuit alongside longtime friends. — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 7 July 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