glitter

verb glit·ter \ ˈgli-tər \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 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

While the annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House has been well-established as a fixture on the spring social calendar for over four decades, setting trends and launching careers, the glittering President's Dinner is relatively new.

— steven stolman, Town & Country, "The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club's President’s Dinner Raised $1 Million," 13 Apr. 2018
In the shadow of the glittering financial district, this thin canal lined with aging concrete factories could easily pass for the setting in a Charles Dickens novel.

— noble ingram, The Christian Science Monitor, "As flooding frequency increases, more US cities opt for green infrastructure," 30 Mar. 2018
Some of the exposure was the payoff of ingeniously campy PR moves, like dressing Kate Moss in a couture gown glittering with glass syringes when the model was fresh out of rehab.

— molly young, GQ, "The Excessive Vision of Donatella Versace," 20 Mar. 2018
Yet the true shock-and-awe moment was in Dreamgirls—the curtains behind the Dreamettes and their show-stopping numbers both glittered with hundreds of crystals.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "From Moulin Rouge! to the Oscars: The Long History of Swarovski in Hollywood," 2 Mar. 2018
As Roger took stock of things and checked in with neighbors, Vergie saw something glittering on the front lawn.

— chelsea brasted, NOLA.com, "'My spirit is intact': 1 year after the New Orleans East tornado, 1 couple goes home," 7 Feb. 2018
Robinson was unable to accept the award with his co-star – but Lonsdale made the most of his moment, showing up on stage in a sequin coat by WhoCaresWhyNot, a cream skirt, a high-necked top, glittering face jewels, and bleached blonde hair.

— refinery29.com, "This Is The MTV Movie & TV Awards Speech Everyone Will Be Talking About," 19 June 2018
The shock move by the 33-year-old superstar comes shortly after losing what is likely his last chance to collect the only honour missing from his glittering resume -- a World Cup for Portugal.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Ronaldo: Football legend takes his talents to Juventus," 10 July 2018
Alpha Natural Resources, one of the nation’s largest coal companies, had built a glittering headquarters in Bristol in 2006.

— Washington Post, "2 cities share name, but 1 is in big trouble," 6 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.

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

Faux freckles have become quite the trend over the last couple of years, thanks in part to Pinterest ideas that include everything from using glitter to getting semipermanent face tattoos.

— marci robin, Allure, "Meghan Markle's Freckles Are Inspiring People to Tattoo Their Faces," 5 June 2018
For those of us who aren’t as keen on putting glitter all over our bodies, Moroccanoil’s dry body oil will make skin glow naturally so extra products aren’t necessary.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "10 Products to Shop During Sephora’s Annual Sale," 16 Apr. 2018
The glitter turned out a bit more muted, and the color was more tie-dye pastel than the vibrant colors on the box.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "6 Easter Egg Dying Kits That Deliver Insta-Worthy Results," 9 Mar. 2018
So, logically, why not go a step further and just shove glitter up there, right?

— gigi engle, Marie Claire, "Women Are Now Using Candy-Flavored Glitterbombs to Enhance Their Lady Bits," 10 July 2017
But the arrival of Drag Battalion AF with glitter cannons has given us hope for tomorrow.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "Letters from the 'front' on Twitter mock prediction of second Civil War on July 4," 3 July 2018
The Poway Valley Garden Club will be holding a plant sale and Fairytale Delight will offer face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon sculptures.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Old-Fashioned Fourth of July offers patriotic fun," 29 June 2018
Her collection of glitter is the result of her standout efforts in the 100-meter hurdles, 200- and 400-meter dash and high jump.

— gary curreri, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Lady Cougars make history with first middle school track and field title," 24 June 2018
There was a vivid gay energy that made this wild enclave of NOLA eccentrics seem like a glitter dam that was about to break.

— kelsy chauvin, Condé Nast Traveler, "What NOLA's 'Gay Mardi Gras' Taught Me About My Parents—and Myself," 13 June 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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