glitter

verb glit·ter \ ˈgli-tər \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of glitter

intransitive verb

1 a : to shine by reflection with many small flashes of brilliant light : sparkle

sequins glittered in the spotlight

b : to shine with strong emotion : flash

eyes glittering in anger

2 : to be brilliantly attractive, lavish, or spectacular; also : to be superficially attractive or exciting

—

glitteringly

play \ˈgli-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb

See glitter defined for English-language learners

See glitter defined for kids

Examples of glitter in a Sentence

The sequins on her dress glittered in the sun.
Her eyes glittered with intelligence and amusement.

Recent Examples of glitter from the Web

There wasn’t much glittering for the Sox on a cool, damp and breezy night in Oakland for their first game after three days of snow in Minneapolis.

— john hickey, chicagotribune.com, "Reynaldo Lopez strikes out 10 but gets no offensive support in White Sox's 8-1 loss to A's," 17 Apr. 2018
There were at least a dozen glittering Coachella-gone-Baroque flower crowns in the room, some flounces and some trains, hats with veils, and colorful fur stoles, not to mention bejewelled corsets.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "Sarah Jessica Parker Helps Dolce & Gabbana Bring Luxe to the Library," 17 Apr. 2018
Body glitter has been around, as mermaids and unicorn fans alike have headed to the craft store to glitter up.

— sarah gidick, The Hollywood Reporter, "Ride Around Shinin': 6 Must-Try Body Glitter Products," 17 Apr. 2018
They were kept outside the door, where the light from the store glittered off their filthy chrome with a dark brilliance.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "The Nighthawks of the Giant," 16 Apr. 2018
This week, even on the quiet days, the ones that don’t glitter and the ones that don’t sing, try to notice each spark of fearlessness inside you.

— claire comstock-gay, The Cut, "Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of April 9," 9 Apr. 2018
This is about mixing all of the shades of your life to create something that’s truly glittering.

— bess matassa, Teen Vogue, "Weekly Horoscopes January 15-21," 5 Apr. 2018
Superstar glittered its way through the last days of Christ — on Easter Sunday, no less — with enormous energy and verve, and managed to stick the landing with an unforgettable final image.

— constance grady, Vox, "Why Jesus Christ Superstar Live succeeded where other live TV musicals have failed," 2 Apr. 2018
To cap it off, the car was given a two-tone finish of 24-karat gold in place of chrome and paint that glittered.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "Batmobile, KITT creator's craziest custom car to be sold at Mecum Indianapolis," 18 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of glitter

Middle English gliteren, perhaps from Old Norse glitra; akin to Old English geolu yellow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

glitter Synonyms

Synonyms

coruscate, flame, flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, 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 glitter

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

glitter

noun

Definition of glitter

1 a : sparkling brilliance of something that glitters

b : a bright usually superficial attractiveness

c : the quality of being spectacular

2 : small glittering objects used for ornamentation

—

glittery

play \ˈgli-tə-rē\ adjective

See glitter defined for English-language learners

Examples of glitter in a Sentence

He was drawn to the glitter of the city's nightlife.

Recent Examples of glitter from the Web

Edible glitter is the latest (and maybe prettiest) food trend.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Cosby trial begins, property assessments rise, Flyers and Sixers on a roll | Morning Newsletter," 9 Apr. 2018
People are losing their minds over John Legend hitting high notes, Sara Bareilles singing like an angel, and all that glitter.

— Marie Claire, "The Best Tweets About John Legend and 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live'," 2 Apr. 2018
Brooms pushed the glitter into one massive pile, which was then shoveled into a trash can.

— joe lynch, Billboard, "'Jesus Christ Superstar Live': 7 Things You Didn't See on the TV Broadcast," 2 Apr. 2018
At home, Putin would face a challenge of how to diversify an economy still dependent on oil and gas and improve medical care and social services in regions far removed from the cosmopolitan glitter of Moscow.

— BostonGlobe.com, "In Russian election, Putin wins massive mandate for nationalist policies," 19 Mar. 2018
Still, some don't love the idea of adding glitter to their beers.

— amy haneline, Indianapolis Star, "Glitter beer arrives for a less green, more sparkly St. Patrick's Day," 14 Mar. 2018
Get more tips on how to use Uber during the busiest time of the year, and here's how to get that glitter off.

— NOLA.com, "How not to be a Mardi Gras jerk," 30 Jan. 2018
Kardashian wears nothing but glitter from the neck down.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kim Kardashian Shares a Nude Photo on Instagram," 5 Jan. 2018
There's silver glitter on her eyelids, perfect black liner, and, of course, her signature coif of platinum blonde hair that has become her most recognizable feature.

— tynan sinks, Allure, "How Betty Who Is Redefining What it Means to Be an "Iconic Blonde"," 29 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of glitter

1593

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

GLITTER Defined for English Language Learners

glitter

verb

Definition of glitter for English Language Learners

: to shine brightly : to shine with bright points of light

glitter

noun

Definition of glitter for English Language Learners

: light that shines in small, bright points
: an appealing, fancy, and exciting quality : a glamorous quality
: small, shiny objects used to decorate a surface

GLITTER Defined for Kids

glitter

verb glit·ter \ ˈgli-tər \

Definition of glitter for Students

glittered; glittering

: to sparkle brightly

glitter

noun

Definition of glitter for Students

1 : sparkling brightness

2 : small glittering objects for decoration

—

glittery

\ˈgli-tə-rē\ adjective

Learn More about glitter

See words that rhyme with glitter Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for glitter Spanish Central: Translation of glitter Nglish: Translation of glitter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of glitter for Arabic speakers

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glitter

Definition of glitter

glitteringly

Examples of glitter in a Sentence

Recent Examples of glitter from the Web

Origin and Etymology of glitter

glitter Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of glitter

glitter

Definition of glitter

glittery

Examples of glitter in a Sentence

Recent Examples of glitter from the Web

First Known Use of glitter

GLITTER Defined for English Language Learners

glitter

Definition of glitter for English Language Learners

glitter

Definition of glitter for English Language Learners

GLITTER Defined for Kids

glitter

Definition of glitter for Students

glitter

Definition of glitter for Students

glittery

Learn More about glitter

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