gleam

noun

Save Word

\ ˈglēm

Definition of gleam

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a transient appearance of subdued or partly obscured light the gleam of dawn in the east

b(1) : a small bright light the gleam of a match

(2) : glint a gleam in his eyes

2 : a brief or faint appearance a gleam of hope

gleam

verb

gleamed; gleaming; gleams

Definition of gleam (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to shine with or as if with subdued steady light or moderate brightness

2 : to appear briefly or faintly a light gleamed in the distance

transitive verb

: to cause to gleam

Other Words from gleam Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about gleam

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for gleam

Verb

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 gleam in a Sentence

Noun He saw the gleam of a flashlight in the distance. the rich gleam of the polished wood Verb The sun gleamed on the water. His eyes were gleaming with delight.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Siegemund-Broka: Train and subway stations have a special gleam for that very reason: South Station and the Park Street and Harvard Square T stops. — BostonGlobe.com, "YA authors Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka on Harvard and high school love," 20 Apr. 2021 Peterson will look forward to sharing the victory tape with Harden to see the approving gleam in his eyes. — Scott Springer, The Enquirer, "Mariemont lacrosse player helps raise money for ALS for longtime assistant Graham Harden," 10 Apr. 2021 Safety helmets laid down gleam like a clutch of gold eggs. — Owen Thomas, The Christian Science Monitor, "‘Not all has withered’: A poetry month tribute to Paul O. Williams," 6 Apr. 2021 Everyone is a gleam in someone’s eye at some point. — New York Times, "When an Estranged Relative Dies, Some Face Grief, Regret and Relief," 5 Apr. 2021 Today, the West Baltimore center’s floor-to-ceiling windows gleam, offering glimpses of a swimming pool and fitness center inside. — Emily Opilo, baltimoresun.com, "Officials celebrate reopening of Cahill Fitness and Wellness Center in West Baltimore," 9 Apr. 2021 The ring that each Lakers player received for winning the 2020 NBA championship is mostly gold and diamonds, glitz and audacity, but there is something subtle lurking beneath the gleam. — Los Angeles Times, "Beneath the bling: Lakers championship rings feature many special surprises," 15 Jan. 2021 The ring features her trademark volume paired with the soft gleam of a matte gold finish, a strikingly elegant statement piece with meaning. — Kate Matthams, Forbes, "The Blast Ring By Beirut Jeweler Nada Ghazal Tells A Story Of Resilience," 27 Feb. 2021 Like the deep sea itself, the reasons why many of these organisms flash, twinkle and gleam remain mysterious to science. — Ferris Jabr, Scientific American, "Gleaning the Gleam: A Deep-Sea Webcam Sheds Light on Bioluminescent Ocean Life," 5 Aug. 2010 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb As the sun passes during the day, the frames gleam with changing prismatic colors against the darker glass. — Frank Edgerton Martin, Star Tribune, "New Mpls. building is one of the city's finest works of contemporary architecture," 18 Dec. 2020 Harold Cain stood on the fringes of a slender sweep of grass in Washington Park, counting the minutes until the 30-foot Christmas tree in front of him would gleam with the hundreds of icicle lights woven around its branches. — Alice Yin, chicagotribune.com, "As Washington Park showcases official Christmas tree, community leaders reflect on neighborhood’s recent progress," 12 Dec. 2020 Our shelves now gleam with wood polish and sunlight. — Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune, "Bookmark: Releasing books is a joyous thing to do," 30 Oct. 2020 The classical details gleam against a new, bright red wool upholstered cushion, commissioned by the museum to match the piece’s original appearance. — Steven Litt, cleveland, "Cleveland Museum of Art refreshes British gallery with splash of color, new purchases, references to sins of empire," 30 Aug. 2020 The boxes that result are slick, gleaming, and perfect, such as a smaller brass number at MoMA from 1968. — Kyle Chayka, The New Republic, "The Minimized Life," 15 May 2020 The cathedral-high ceiling, gleaming wood floor, illuminated bar and exhibition kitchen remain, but they’ve been joined by some communal tables and other informal touches. — Washington Post, "At two hotel restaurants, there’s room for improvement," 9 Jan. 2020 Like most of the concert industry, the Von Braun Center’s gleaming new venue has been quiet and dark since March, after opening January and hosting acts like Jason Isbell, Billy Strings and Queensryche. — Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, "The fate of Huntsville’s Concerts in the Park this year," 26 May 2020 Crowds began forming around 1 p.m. as hundreds of people milled beneath the gleaming facades of Causeway Bay, Hong Kong’s shopping district. — Austin Ramzy, BostonGlobe.com, "Hong Kong police fire tear gas as protesters resist China’s grip," 24 May 2020

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about gleam

Dictionary Entries near gleam

Statistics for gleam

Last Updated

28 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Gleam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gleam. Accessed 9 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for gleam

gleam

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gleam

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a small, bright light

: a bright or shining quality

: a small amount or sign of something

gleam

verb

English Language Learners Definition of gleam (Entry 2 of 2)

: to shine brightly

See the full definition for gleam in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gleam

noun

\ ˈglēm

Kids Definition of gleam

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a faint, soft, or reflected light the first gleam of dawn

2 : a bright or shining look She had a gleam in her eyes.

3 : a short or slight appearance a gleam of hope

gleam

verb

gleamed; gleaming

Kids Definition of gleam (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to shine with a soft light

2 : to give out gleams of light

Choose the Right Synonym for gleam

Verb

gleam, sparkle, and glitter mean to send forth light. gleam is used when light shines through something else or is reflected or shines against a dark background. The lighthouse gleamed through the fog. sparkle is used for something that has several changing points of light. Water sparkled in the sunlight. glitter is used for a brilliant sparkling of light. The jewels glittered brightly.