glimpse

1 of 2

verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

transitive verb

: to get a brief look at

glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

intransitive verb

1

: to look briefly

glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside

2

archaic : glimmer

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2

noun

1

: a fleeting view or look

caught only a glimpse of the mugger

2

archaic : glimmer

Synonyms of glimpse

Verb

• peek
• glance

Noun

• glance
• peek
• look

Examples of glimpse in a Sentence

Verb

We glimpsed him through the window as his car sped past.

just glimpsed at the photo then turned his attention elsewhere

Noun

We caught a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past.

I only got a glimpse of him as we drove by.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In a remote desert far from the UAE’s bright skylines, stargazers gather in the nation’s darkest corner to glimpse the Milky Way most residents can no longer see. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026

Want to see what Hubble glimpsed on your birthday? —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Noun

Meandering golf cart paths swerve around ancient trees and limestone rocks for an immersive experience, revealing glimpses of the sea through the forest. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The sequence also brought back a glimpse at Storm Reid, who played Rue’s sister, and returned Nika King, who plays Rue’s mother, and included unseen footage of Rue and Fezco together in a tribute to Cloud. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glimsen; akin to Middle High German glimsen to glimmer, Old English glǣm gleam

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for glimpse

• chimps
• limps
• pimps
• shrimps

Kids Definition

glimpse

1 of 2 verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

: to take a brief look : see momentarily or incompletely

glimpsed the deer running

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2 noun

: a short hurried view

catch a glimpse of something rushing by