glance

verb

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\ ˈglan(t)s

glanced; glancing

Definition of glance

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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.

3a : 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.

transitive verb

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

glance

noun

Definition of glance (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : a quick or cursory look was good at sizing people up at a glance

b : a swift movement of the eyes

2a : a deflected impact or blow

b archaic : a rapid oblique movement

3a : a quick intermittent flash or gleam

b archaic : a sudden quick movement

4 archaic

a : a brief satirical reference to something : gibe

b : allusion

at first glance

: on first consideration At first glance the subject seems harmless enough.

Other Words from glance Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing glance Learn More About glance

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb You then glance at the computer in front of you and see an unending list of businesses followed by four letter symbols and various numbers. — Drew Spaventa, Forbes, 16 June 2022 Epicenter stood placidly, declining even to glance at his unruly neighbor. — Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2022 Lee Stecklein’s long shot appeared to glance off a Czech player and into the net at 6:49 of the third period to give the Americans a 2-1 lead. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2022 Cooper did not glance back to discover his quarterback had arrived. — Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2021 The Ravens could not help but glance at the scoreboard, which told them the Jacksonville Jaguars were smacking around the Indianapolis Colts. — Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, 10 Jan. 2022 Instead of right-angle or T-bone collisions in an intersection, vehicles will typically hit others in a roundabout at a 45 degree angle that could glance off a car rather than stop one in its tracks. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 22 Dec. 2021 Brady Skjei's shot from a sharp angle on the left side appeared to glance off Svechnikov, who was cutting across the crease. — Matt Carlson, Star Tribune, 30 Mar. 2021 And while many of us will view that as a dystopian nightmare, others are likely to welcome the chance to spend extra time with ever more realistic 3D cat videos, without even having to glance at your phone. — Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 29 Nov. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Some people nearby seemed unconcerned, going about their business with barely a glance at the smoke wreathing the mine’s tower. — Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2022 From an upward glance at the bottom of the Blue Ridge foothills, the cabin is beckoning. — Hunter Boyce, ajc, 13 June 2022 This claim, however, flies in the face of even the quickest glance at Black gay life, to say nothing of the many D.C.-specific histories that demonstrate how queerness rarely disrupted Black Washington’s powerful family ties. — Matthew L. Riemer, Washington Post, 10 June 2022 And although many technology leaders understand the security and efficiency reasons behind upgrading servers that have reached their end of life, the migration process often entails untold complexities that may be overlooked at a cursory glance. — Paul Deur, Forbes, 8 June 2022 Two points from a two-sets-to-none deficit, Ruud shot a worried glance at his box, as if out of options and ideas. — Liz Clarke And Ava Wallace, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2022 Their full-length album builds on that promise, casting a sidelong glance at modern life’s rubbish—nagging bills, bad parties, worse dates—over elliptical riffing and galloping basslines. — Maura Johnston, Time, 3 June 2022 Catnip and catmint can appeal equally to some felines, while others seem to prefer catnip and will pass by catmint without a second glance. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2022 Lucas Daignault likes to glance at his E*Trade account before school or after his shifts at the supermarket. — Matt Grossman, WSJ, 30 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.