gleam

1 of 2

noun

ˈglēm 

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

gleamy

ˈglē-mē 

adjective

gleam

2 of 2

verb

gleamed; gleaming; gleams

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

Synonyms

Noun

• glow
• glare
• light
• glint

Verb

• glint
• flash
• shimmer
• sparkle
• twinkle
• glisten
• shine
• glitter
• glimmer

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

Summer in Chicago is magic: the buzz of neighborhood festivals, the gleam of sunlight on Lake Michigan and the tantalizing scents of myriad cuisines emanating from our tremendous restaurants. —Glenn Eden, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025

The subtle gleam of the sandals gave her neutral-toned look a hint of edge, without overpowering the minimalist color scheme. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 5 June 2025

Verb

Four gleaming minaret-style towers welcome visitors to Alys Beach and a stretch of the scenic highway flanked by towering palm trees. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025

Gimlet’s offices were all start-up pizzazz — designer furniture, gleaming cutting-edge equipment, break rooms stocked with free sparkling water and a cornucopia of snacks. —Eric Benson, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for gleam

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• meme
• ream
• scheme
• scream
• seam
• seem

Kids Definition

gleam

noun

ˈglēm

1

: a small briefly visible light : glint

2

: a brief or faint appearance : trace

gleam of hope

gleam verb