glitter

1 of 2

verb

glit·​ter ˈgli-tər How to pronounce glitter (audio)
glittered; glittering; glitters

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

glitter

2 of 2

noun

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 adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Example Sentences

Verb The sequins on her dress glittered in the sun. Her eyes glittered with intelligence and amusement. Noun He was drawn to the glitter of the city's nightlife.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
And yet, not far up the seaboard from where my childhood quietly unfolded, an area that until now was firmly off the radar is poised to become a glittering fixture on the global yachting circuit. Sarah Khan, Robb Report, 26 June 2023 And who can forget her glittering, 16-foot chandelier made of 14,000 tampons for the Venice Biennale? Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 23 June 2023 Wallace, who played four years at Richardson, led a glittering local recruiting class as The Dallas Morning News’ 2022 boys basketball player of the year. Peter Rauterkus, Dallas News, 23 June 2023 The shoot with the suit featuring glittering golden straps connecting the top and bottoms finds Dua leaning on the car, arching her back and sitting on the Caddy’s hood as an unseen assistant off camera sets her long black ponytail aflight using a leaf blower. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 June 2023 Meanwhile, her backup dancers coordinated with Beyoncé in their own hot-pink looks, including bikini tops, short-shorts with fringe trim, glittering fishnet stockings, mesh crop tops, and skintight bodysuits. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 June 2023 Crown Princess Mary and Queen Margrethe of Denmark are glittering at a gala! Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 15 June 2023 In one of its final scenes, Douglass addresses a lecture audience, now in contemporary dress, while the screens around him fill with aerial images of contemporary cities glittering at night. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2023 Advertisement The complexity of immigration status in Florida was apparent in the long line of people outside federal immigration court one recent day amid the glittering skyscrapers, palm trees and reflecting pools in downtown Miami. Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
Noun
Rae’s Barbie, A.K.A. President Barbie, gets her ball gown and presidential sash made into doll form with its opulent gold glitter on top of a light pink fabric. Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 2 June 2023 With 24 shades across glitter, shimmer, and matte finishes, these jumbo pencils even double as eyeliner. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2023 All that glitters is not gold in Outer Banks season 3. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2023 Recreate Laverne Cox's golden girl eye look with Karizma Beauty's 24K glitter. Danielle James, ELLE, 6 Feb. 2023 Cox also uploaded a throwback of young Coco with a face full of glitter. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 14 June 2023 The energy and gaiety of Boston’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade returned to Back Bay and South End streets Saturday, as marchers clad in rainbow tutus, mesh crop tops, and myriad styles and colors of body glitter sashayed through the city for the first time since 2019. Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2023 Over the rest of the season, Perry was booed for the first time after advising that contestant Nutsa Buzaladze wear less glitter on stage and also garnered heat for lacking feedback for contestant Wé Ani following one of her performances. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023 Our fav party girl went all out, dripped in sequins and glitter. Briannah Rivera, Seventeen, 18 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glitter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of glitter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near glitter

Cite this Entry

“Glitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glitter. Accessed 7 Jul. 2023.

Kids Definition

glitter

1 of 2 verb
glit·​ter ˈglit-ər How to pronounce glitter (audio)
1
: to shine with brilliant or metallic luster
glittering sequins
2
: to shine with strong emotion
eyes glittered cruelly

glitter

2 of 2 noun
1
: sparkling brilliancy
2
: small glittering objects used for ornamentation
glittery adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on glitter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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