glitter

verb

glit·ter | \ ˈgli-tər

glittered; glittering; glitters

Definition of glitter

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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

noun

Definition of glitter (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

Other Words from glitter Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about glitter

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Other words from glitter

Verb

glitteringly \ˈgli-tə-riŋ-lē

\ adverb

Noun

glittery \ˈgli-tə-rē

\ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for glitter

Verb

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 glitter in a Sentence

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

Rather than relying on gilded accessories to enhance the already striking ensemble, Hadid took the reflective 24k shade to lid level, eyes adorned in a saturated pressing of glittering yellow ore edged by a graphic flick of black liquid liner. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Gigi Hadid Has a Cinderella Birthday Moment with Golden Eyes, Killer Legs and a Perfect Glass Shoe," 24 Apr. 2018 The video opens with the ocean glittering behind Ten’s shimmering form, as he is illuminated by lights attached to his shirt. — Caitlin Kelley, Billboard, "NCT's Ten Saves the Day on SM Station Track, 'New Heroes'," 6 Apr. 2018 Two Coast Guard cutters lent their steel prows and 70-ton weight to the struggle to break winter’s chokehold on the Connecticut River, which has produced spectacular plains of glittering ice but also fears of flooding in Haddam. — Matthew Ormseth, courant.com, "Coast Guard Cutters Battle Ice-Locked Connecticut River," 19 Jan. 2018 Arsenal, with their only other realistic chance of silverware in the Europa League, will be looking to reach another Wembley final and add another accolade to Arsene Wenger's glittering CV. — SI.com, "Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battles, Team News & More," 9 Jan. 2018 The gilded and glittering Mar-a-Lago has been a favorite spot for holding charity events and a money-maker for the Trump Organization. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "17 Charities Have Canceled Their Mar-a-Lago Galas in the Past Week," 23 Aug. 2017 The specialized schools carry enormous symbolic weight in the city, and a seat in one of them is seen as a glittering prize. — New York Times, "Asian Groups See Bias in Plan to Diversify New York’s Elite Schools," 5 June 2018 Her glittering tiara featuring flowers assembled with diamonds; her dark locks were swept back in an updo. — Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, "Meghan Markle walks the aisle in stunning Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy wedding dress," 19 May 2018 Oil revenue made possible Abu Dhabi's glittering cityscape. — Bloomberg.com, "A Mideast Energy Giant Seizes New Energy Future," 10 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Oh, and all of those objects are covered with gold glitter. — Mike Giuliano, Howard County Times, "Artist gets metaphysical at Columbia Art Center," 6 July 2018 Graphic gold glitter on negative space is our party-perfect choice for NYE nails. — Lauren Sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, "This East Coast Getaway Is the Perfect Alternative to The Hamptons," 26 June 2018 For many graduates, those journeys were written on their caps in glitter and felt, construction paper and duct tape. — Rebecca Lurye, courant.com, "Grads Share One More Journey As Blue Devils At CCSU Commencement," 19 May 2018 Keeping in mind that not everyone is down with covering their butts and boobs in glitter, The Gypsy Shrine decided to offer a wearable alternative to their more daring looks. — Brooke Shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "People Are Gluing Jewels on Their Brows and Just WOW," 5 Mar. 2018 March 14 is National Butterfly Day, and on this day Royal View Elementary will be selling paper butterflies that students can decorate with glitter in Hassel's memory. — Charlene Paparizos, cleveland.com, "Royal View Elementary Fundraises on National Butterfly Day for Third Grade Teacher Memorial: Community Voices," 12 June 2017 The spacecraft finally pierced the cometary veil of dust and shining glitter gas and produced the first image of the comet’s nucleus. — Dennis Overbye, BostonGlobe.com, "Bradford Smith, 86, dies; showed postcards from outer space," 13 July 2018 The spacecraft finally pierced the cometary veil of dust and shining glitter gas and produced the first image of the comet’s nucleus. — Dennis Overbye, New York Times, "Bradford Smith, Who Showed Postcards From Outer Space, Dies at 86," 11 July 2018 Spacepaste isn’t just for glitter ponies at Burning Man or Coachella. — Kathleen Hou, The Cut, "The Secret Twinkly Beauty Product That All the Celebrities Are Wearing," 5 July 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.