gleam

noun \ ˈglēm \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of gleam

1 a : 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

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gleamy

play \ˈglē-mē\ adjective

See gleam defined for English-language learners

See gleam defined for kids

Examples of gleam in a Sentence

He saw the gleam of a flashlight in the distance.
the rich gleam of the polished wood

Recent Examples of gleam from the Web

The iconic trailer brand known for its silver gleam has started selling its first-ever fiberglass model, the Nest by Airstream, just in time for the ramp up to summer camping season.

— paul brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "Airstream's New 'Nest' Looks Nothing Like an Airstream," 12 Apr. 2018
Gradually, an American city grew around the gleam of the strip.

— charles p. pierce, SI.com, "Win City: The Playoff-Bound Golden Knights Have Helped Humanize—and Heal—Las Vegas," 4 Apr. 2018
It can be used on its own for an all-over glow, added to a base for a little extra gleam, or placed just on the high points of the face where people generally covet some shine.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "M.A.C. Is Launching a Version of Its Best-Selling Strobe Cream for Your Body," 2 Apr. 2018
Metzger plays almost exclusively without effects in this context, letting the metallic gleam and expressive twang of his guitar shine throughout.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Wolf!, Soule Monde To Play Infinity Hall," 17 Mar. 2018
Four years later, the building gleams, freshly sheathed in gray metal siding.

— anton troianovski, chicagotribune.com, "Crimea's propaganda machine fans fear in closing days of Putin's campaign," 16 Mar. 2018
The United Nations had long since seen its post-World War II gleam and grand ambition erode.

— thomas levenson, BostonGlobe.com, "The world defeated smallpox. Why does polio still exist?," 9 Mar. 2018
For a quick fix or a healthy gleam, mist on a hydrating oil, like argan, coconut, or something with a hint of shimmer, like Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc body oil.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Legs for Spring," 8 Mar. 2018
At the time, DFW was only a gleam in the eye of Lubbock entrepreneurs Johnny Qubty and Josh Allen, who will both be at the groundbreaking at 11 a.m. Tuesday (although there won't be a restaurant yet, there will be menu samples).

— robert philpot, star-telegram, "Two Cajun-oriented restaurant chains, one Drew Brees connection | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 28 Feb. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of gleam

Middle English gleem, from Old English glǣm; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

gleam Synonyms

Synonyms

blaze, flare, fluorescence, glare, glow, illumination, incandescence, light, luminescence, radiance, shine;

Near Antonyms

blackness, dark, darkness, dimness, dusk, duskiness, gloom, night, shadow;

daylight, moonlight, sunlight, sunshine;

afterglow, aureole (or aureola), aurora, beam, halo, ray, shaft, streak, stream, sunbeam;

glisten, gloss, luster (or lustre), polish, reflection, sheen;

gleam

verb

Definition of gleam

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

See gleam defined for English-language learners

Examples of gleam in a Sentence

The sun gleamed on the water.
His eyes were gleaming with delight.

Recent Examples of gleam from the Web

Gorgeous pastries, gleaming tile, a slew of tasty eat-in options, and an impressive selection of local and regional products.

— dana mcmahan, The Courier-Journal, "I went shopping at Omni's Falls City Market. Spoiler alert: I left with nothing," 16 Apr. 2018
Well, remind me to never doubt my instincts, because today marks the launch of Nuest Magical Jelly Highlighter, and this indie brand is about to put itself on the map with the widest shade range yet of these addictive pots of gleaming, bouncy goo.

— marci robin, Allure, "The Nuest Jelly Highlighter Just Dropped and It Comes in Five Colors," 10 Apr. 2018
Entering the gleaming new white-and-blue Telemundo Center is a little like stepping into the future — and not just because the inside of the building feels like a spaceship.

— rene rodriguez, miamiherald, "Telemundo’s new headquarters embraces the future. It may transform this area, too | Miami Herald," 9 Apr. 2018
To my amazement, a gash of gleaming steel opened up in the bench top.

— nick foulkes, A-LIST, "All that Glitters: Hublot Magic Gold," 6 Apr. 2018
The complex here is situated on 20 acres of rolling, wooded North Carolina hills, only a short drive from downtown Charlotte and its handful of gleaming skyscrapers.

— phil mccausland, NBC News, "Billy Graham mourners flock from across the nation, globe to pay final respects," 26 Feb. 2018
The design by architect Cass Gilbert is gleaming white terra cotta with classical columns and a pyramid top that was modeled after the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

— jeff suess, Cincinnati.com, "Our history: Notable buildings stood at 4th and Vine," 21 Feb. 2018
Architectural drawings of a new Amazon headquarters in the Bridge District, along the banks of the Sacramento River, showed a series of gleaming skyscrapers.

— ryan lillis, sacbee, "Amazon was offered hundreds of millions by Sacramento area governments in HQ2 bid," 5 Feb. 2018
The 105-year-old property makes a good first impression between the gleaming marble, twinkling chandeliers, and fresh flowers, which are never not fresh thanks to the on-site florist employed to tend to arrangements around the clock.

— natalie b. compton, GQ, "The Best Way to Do Paris Is the Old Fashioned Way," 3 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of gleam

1508

gleam Synonyms

Synonyms

coruscate, flame, flash, glance, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, luster (or lustre), scintillate, shimmer, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink, winkle;

Related Words

beam, radiate, shine;

bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle;

blaze, burn, flare, glare, glow;

Synonym Discussion of gleam

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

GLEAM Defined for English Language Learners

gleam

noun

Definition of gleam for English Language Learners

: a small, bright light
: a bright or shining quality
: a small amount or sign of something

gleam

verb

Definition of gleam for English Language Learners

: to shine brightly

GLEAM Defined for Kids

gleam

noun \ ˈglēm \

Definition of gleam for Students

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

Definition of gleam for Students

gleamed; gleaming

1 : to shine with a soft light

2 : to give out gleams of light

Synonym Discussion of gleam

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.