shimmer

¹shim·mer

verb \ˈshi-mər\

shim·meredshim·mer·ing \ˈshi-mə-riŋ, ˈshim-riŋ\

Definition of SHIMMER

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

Examples of SHIMMER

1. The road shimmered in the heat.
2. <a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights>

Origin of SHIMMER

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHIMMER

Synonyms

coruscate, flame, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, luster (or lustre), scintillate, flash, 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 SHIMMER

brimmer, dimmer, glimmer, limmer, limner, primer, simmer, skimmer, slimmer, swimmer, trimmer

²shimmer

noun

Definition of SHIMMER

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

— shim·mery \ˈshi-mə-rē, ˈshim-rē\ adjective

First Known Use of SHIMMER

1821

Rhymes with SHIMMER

glimmer, simmer, swimmer