glistening

adjective

glis·​ten·​ing ˈgli-sᵊn-iŋ 

: shining with reflected light

a damp, glistening surface

… a wonderland of glistening, shallow lakes of rainwater …

—Joseph Judge

The boatman was a tiny man with glistening brown skin and an almost circular mouth.

—Bruce Chatwin

… contrasting dark surfaces with glistening decorative details.

—Architectural Digest

Monroe County will always be unique because it is a collection of little tropical islands sprinkled across the glistening waters off the southern tip of the peninsula.

—George Laycock

glisteningly adverb

The cup across from her was icily clean, glisteningly empty.

—Sinclair Lewis

Synonyms of glistening

• polished
• glossy
• sleek
• gleaming
• satin

Examples of glistening in a Sentence

a glistening marble table top

Recent Examples on the Web

The base is a matte cat-eye, but the whole design is finished with a shiny top coat for a glistening melted-Popsicle effect. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 July 2026

The 75,000 square foot, multi-level space attracts world famous DJs and guests and exists as a glistening jewel in the crown of Caesars Palace’s broad range of entertainment venues. — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

In the summer, the evenings are long, the pool is glistening, outdoor cooking is at its peak—and pesky mosquitoes are ready to pounce. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026

Upon entering, guests are treated to an entry foyer with a glistening floor of Brazilian cherry offset by a thin maple inlay. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glistening

• christening
• listening