glitter

verb glit·ter \ ˈgli-tər \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: glitter in a Sentence

Definition of glitter

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

—

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

Thousands of spectators flocked to London for the annual spectacle, hoping to catch a glimpse of the glittering house of Windsor, jamming the royal parks near the parade grounds.

— danica kirka, The Seattle Times, "Harry and Meghan turn out for Trooping the Color spectacle," 9 June 2018
At the window, the nighttime skyline glittered on the other side of the glass.

— susannah breslin, The Atlantic, "Porn’s Uncanny Valley," 1 June 2018
The heaviness lifted, and sunlight glittered on the water.

— kelly sundberg, Good Housekeeping, "I Had No Idea My Husband Was Abusing Me," 1 June 2018
This year the unclothed cavalcade will be led by beloved burlesque artist Trixie Minx, who plans to ride in a pedicab wearing a glittering golden bicycle helmet, emphasizing bicycle safety.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "New Orleans Naked Bike Ride 2018: the bare facts," 30 May 2018
Judging from the series of quick draw scenes, Gomez’s bob plays equally well with glittering, feathered frocks and more casual, mod pairings, so who is to say the video isn’t a prelude to a real-life transformation?

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Selena Gomez’s Retro Bob Is the Star of Her New Music Video," 28 May 2018
So, there’s normally glitter remnants on and around me.

— dani deahl, The Verge, "What’s in your bag, The Knocks?," 18 May 2018
Blanchett may play a jewelry thief in Oceans 8, but who needs glittering diamonds when your pantsuit is this high on sparkle?

— maria ward, Vogue, "Cate Blanchett Does Disco Glam for Day," 25 May 2018
Aside from the glittering jewelry, intricately carved ivory and woodwork, revealing photographs and cosmopolitan decorative items, a new exhibition on art from the Swahili Coast at the Smithsonian’s African Art Museum ultimately centers on words.

— roger catlin, Smithsonian, "First Major Swahili Coast Art Show Reveals a Diverse World of Cultural Exchange and Influence," 23 May 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

There was no shortage of glitter or rainbow flags, with an air of comradery and celebration permeating through the fest.

— steven j. horowitz, Billboard, "Kehlani, Tove Lo and Kim Petras Triumph at Pride LA 2018," 11 June 2018
Through the ’70s and into the ’80s, the heft of paintings increased with addition of more and different materials: crushed seashells, pebbles, glitter.

— New York Times, "Growing, Faltering, Changing, Growing: Lessons From Kay WalkingStick," 7 June 2018
Then dab a little bit of glitter or white eye shadow on the bottom lip to give it a little shimmer.

— grace dickinson, Philly.com, "Philly Pride Parade: Drag queen Brittany Lynn teaches you how to create a make up look that will slay," 6 June 2018
The Kids Corner will include face painting, glitter tattoos, caricatures, a balloon artist and a bounce house.

— Houston Chronicle, "Enjoy fourth of July fireworks on the Hill at Valley Ranch Town Center," 4 June 2018
But the series is its own house of abundance, a sometimes overstuffed extravaganza brimming with feeling, style and glitter.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: Ryan Murphy's 'Pose' is a glittery extravaganza," 1 June 2018
There were all these articles about the tourism boom in Forks thanks to Twi-hards who had to go, like, lie in the same field where Edward exposed his glitter chest.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "Is Kanye the Best Thing to Happen to Wyoming, or the Worst?," 1 June 2018
Imagine wearing the actual blue glitter jumpsuit and matching heeled booties the eight-time Grammy winner wore during his 1997 Jam of the Year Tour.

— adam reiss /, NBC News, "Auction gives Prince fans a chance to own a piece of rock history," 15 May 2018
Students at Ohio Ave are provided self-regulation tools like mini-ellipticals, trampolines, and glitter jars, which children can use to become centered during the school day.

— emily jan, The Atlantic, "The Students and Teachers Upending Traditional Approaches to Discipline," 12 May 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

Seen and Heard

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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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