shimmer

1 of 2

verb

shim·​mer ˈshi-mər How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
shimmered; shimmering ˈshi-mə-riŋ How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
ˈshim-riŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light : glimmer
2
: to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted visual image

transitive verb

: to cause to shimmer

shimmer

2 of 2

noun

1
: a light that shimmers : subdued sparkle or sheen : glimmer
2
: a wavering sometimes distorted visual image usually resulting from heat-induced changes in atmospheric refraction
shimmery
ˈshi-mə-rē How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
ˈshim-rē
adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for shimmer

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light.

flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

Examples of shimmer in a Sentence

Verb The road shimmered in the heat. a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The artist decorated the rippling glass of a high, arched window between two galleries in the Jacobs building with nearly imperceptible webs of shimmering gold leaf, which reflects the light passing through. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The graceful curves of the scrolled pediment over the front door are echoed in the foyer with the grand sweep of the staircase, a hallmark of Williams, and in the brocade pattern of the shimmering platinum wallcoverings. Mark David, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 In 2003, Piet Oudolf, whose subtly layered plantings of grasses and unusual shrubs give Manhattan’s High Line its shimmering magic, created a dark earth pathway that snakes through the property, with banks of thistles and echinacea Julia rising like steep heather moors on either side. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024 Dressed in a stunning dark cloak with shimmering black feathers and a metallic bodysuit, the Mexican icon exuded a captivating presence. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Mar. 2024 When Iles, a veteran Whitney curator, co-organized the 2006 edition of this show, every other room had shimmering surfaces of silver and gray. Martha Schwendener, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Crows can be beautiful birds whose black feathers shimmer green and violet, like an aurora in the night sky; in late summer, however, Parisian crows looked ragged from their annual molt. Ben Crair, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2024 The collection heavily featured shimmering and sparkling pieces, sticking mostly to silver, navy blue and white ensembles with a variety of fur accessories. Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 The cards themselves are printed on thick, heavy-duty card-stock, with foil accents that shimmer when the cards are flipped. Tim Chan, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
Sometimes both the shapes and the hues are precise, yet some of the colors shimmer, as in the vertical bands airbrushed by Don Dudley and the vertical ones painted by Norman Zammitt (1931-2007). Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 In the pages of VOGUE the land of merry unbirthdays and late-running rabbits shimmers to life again—as the world’s most influential designers dress the original little-girl-lost in their own visions. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Travis Kelce just walked into Allegiant Stadium and made the whole place shimmer. Brittany Talarico, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Kelce arrived at the stadium today similarly clad in head-to-toe black, although his fit was even better suited to making the whole place shimmer. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2024 Sunlight shimmers through the misty canopy, making the green moss look brighter and urging visitors into deep introspection. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024 For this evening's look, worn in celebration of Chanel's new Fifth Avenue flagship, Baker created a neon mod eye moment, petal pink and swirls of silver shimmer framed by ample lashes. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2024 Her black eyeliner had the most dramatic — and sharp wing — but was slightly softened with a bit of shimmer. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2024 Once the oil shimmers, add the meat and sear it for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing the cubes continuously, until browned on all sides. Jamie Schler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shimmer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English schimeren, from Old English scimerian; akin to Old English scīnan to shine — more at shine

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shimmer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near shimmer

Cite this Entry

“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shimmer. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

shimmer

verb
shim·​mer
ˈshim-ər
shimmered; shimmering
-(ə-)riŋ
: to shine with a wavering light : glimmer
shimmer noun

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