glitter

¹glit·ter

intransitive verb \ˈgli-tər\

Definition of GLITTER

1

a : to shine by reflection with many small flashes of brilliant light : sparkle <sequins glittered in the spotlight>

b : to shine with strong emotion : flash <eyes glittering in anger>

2

: to be brilliantly attractive, lavish, or spectacular; also : to be superficially attractive or exciting

— glit·ter·ing·ly \-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of GLITTER

1. The sequins on her dress glittered in the sun.
2. Her eyes glittered with intelligence and amusement.

Origin of GLITTER

Middle English gliteren, perhaps from Old Norse glitra; akin to Old English geolu yellow

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GLITTER

Synonyms

coruscate, flame, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, flash, luster (or lustre), scintillate, shimmer, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink, winkle

Related Words

beam, radiate, shine; bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle; blaze, burn, flare, glare, glow

See Synonym Discussion at flash

Rhymes with GLITTER

bitter, chitter, critter, fitter, flitter, fritter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, quitter, quittor, sitter, skitter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter

²glitter

noun

Definition of GLITTER

1

a : sparkling brilliance of something that glitters

b : a bright usually superficial attractiveness

c : the quality of being spectacular

2

: small glittering objects used for ornamentation

— glit·tery \ˈgli-tə-rē\ adjective

Examples of GLITTER

1. He was drawn to the glitter of the city's nightlife.

First Known Use of GLITTER

1593

Rhymes with GLITTER

bitter, fitter, flitter, fritter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter