glanced; glancing
1
a
: to take a quick look at something
glanced at his watch
b
of the eyes
: to move swiftly from one thing to another
2
: to strike a surface obliquely so as to go off at an angle
The bullet glanced off the wall.
3
a
: to make sudden quick movements
dragonflies glancing over the pond
b
: to flash or gleam with quick intermittent rays of light
brooks glancing in the sun
4
: to touch on a subject or refer to it briefly or indirectly
The work glances at the customs of ancient cultures.
1
: to give an oblique path of direction to:
a
: to throw or shoot so that the object deflects from a surface
b
archaic
: to aim (something, such as an innuendo) indirectly : insinuate
2
archaic
a
: to take a quick look at
b
: to catch a glimpse of
glancer
noun
1
a
: a quick or cursory look
was good at sizing people up at a glance
b
: a swift movement of the eyes
2
a
: a deflected impact or blow
b
archaic
: a rapid oblique movement
3
a
: a quick intermittent flash or gleam
b
archaic
: a sudden quick movement
see also:
Examples of glance in a Sentence
Verb
Glancing down, she noticed her shoe was untied.
I glanced at my watch.
He sat quietly, glancing through a magazine.
She glanced up from her book when he entered the room.
Noun
He gave me a quick glance over his shoulder.
I took a glance at the newspaper this morning.
Recent Examples on the Web
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Toronto captain Auston Matthews, who hit the post in the third period on a shot that glanced off Vasilevskiy, has now gone 11 games without scoring, and has just one goal in his last 15 games.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Madeline Dangmann, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
With a cinema glance that balances between the documentary genre and the dramatized narration, the film crafts a microcosm of understanding, offering the viewer a touching experience.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glance
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Verb
Yet DeSantis and legislative leaders haven’t even glanced in the direction of meaningful changes that would require Florida’s wealthiest corporations to pay their fair share, and reduce the burden on the struggling class of workers who make this state’s economy hum.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Toronto captain Auston Matthews, who hit the post in the third period on a shot that glanced off Vasilevskiy, has now gone 11 games without scoring, and has just one goal in his last 15 games.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
While most stars opted for opulent couture gowns with glitter, feathers, and the like, the actor appeared in a look that seemed almost simple at first glance… Look again.
—Madeline Dangmann, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
With a cinema glance that balances between the documentary genre and the dramatized narration, the film crafts a microcosm of understanding, offering the viewer a touching experience.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glance
Cite this Entry
“Glance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glance. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
glance
1 of 2 verb
glanced; glancing
1
: to strike and fly off at an angle
the arrow glanced off the shield
2
: to give a quick or hasty look
glanced at my watch
glanced up from a book
3
glancingly
adverb
ˈglan(t)-siŋ-lē
glance
2 of 2 noun1
: a quick flash or gleam that comes and goes
2
: an impact or blow that is turned aside
3
a
: a swift movement of the eyes
b
: a quick or hasty look
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