glow

1 of 2

verb

glowed; glowing; glows

intransitive verb

1
a
: to shine with or as if with an intense heat
embers glowing in the darkness
b(1)
: to have a rich warm typically ruddy color
cheeks glowing with health
(2)
: flush, blush
the children glowed with excitement
2
a
: to experience a sensation of or as if of heat
glowing with rage
b
: to show exuberance or elation
glow with pride

glow

2 of 2

noun

1
: brightness or warmth of color
especially : redness
2
a
: warmth of feeling or emotion
b
: a sensation of warmth
the drug produces a sustained glow
3
a
: the state of glowing with heat and light
b
: light such as is emitted by a solid body heated to luminosity : incandescence

Examples of glow in a Sentence

Verb The coals glowed in the fireplace. The fireplace glowed with the dying coals. This toy glows in the dark. Noun We could see the glow of the lamp in the window. The town's lights cast a glow on the horizon. the rosy glow of health He felt a glow as he remembered the day they first met. Their problems were all forgotten in the glow of victory. She felt the glow from the fireplace. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
As for those glowing reviews, customers are especially calling out the sweatpants’ comfort and coziness. Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2023 Thanks to her own JLo Beauty products, Lopez's skin was positively glowing in her sparkling David Koma gown, which featured a dramatic ab cutout panel and thigh-high slit. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2023 The stage glowed in the Feid’s signature color of green. Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023 The first images of rogue worlds came in the 2000s, when astronomers spotted a few objects still glowing in infrared light from the heat of their formation. Quanta Magazine, 13 Nov. 2023 The most popular attraction on Vieques is the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay, which glows blue at night as visitors kayak through its waters filled with phosphorescent plankton. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2023 Make sure to check out the luminarias, glowing Christmas lanterns that make up a favorite local tradition. Anna Borges, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Nov. 2023 The performances draw a global audience and the Santa Fe sky—which flickers between glowing sunsets, a dazzling canopy of stars, and jazzy lightning performances—puts on its own unmatched show night after night. Alexandra Malmed, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023 The ground floor features the father’s cooking space, complete with a glowing fireplace and a bevy of pinwheels. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2023
Noun
Mario Badescu Facial Spray Jumpstart your morning in the same way Selena does in this TikTok with Mario Badescu Facial Spray — a refreshing mist of aloe vera, thyme, and seaweed extract for a slept-really-good last night glow. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023 Mellow combinations of winds blend with sumptuous strings, accented discreetly with brasses for an overall glow. Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 Candles adorned trees, garlands, mantels, and tables, giving Victorian rooms a warm glow. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2023 This Korean skincare gem helps reduce redness, hydrate, and repair skin for a healthy glow, as endorsed by satisfied users. Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023 And Kerry Washington– who recently added New York Times best-selling author to her resume– knew a simple nude lipstick and powder would do the trick for a natural glow. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 13 Nov. 2023 Before the stem cells were injected into the host embryo, scientists edited the cells to express green fluorescent protein, which was originally found in a jellyfish and glows green under blue light. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 Think a lightweight Norwegian cooler that keeps drinks cool without any ice (that’s right—no ice), or a rechargeable glow light that doubles as a mosquito repellent. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Nov. 2023 Find it on Amazon Give the Holiday Glow This bright red lantern adds an elegant and beautiful glow to your home that feels timeless and classic and really warms up your spaces. Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glow.' 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, from Old English glōwan; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near glow

Cite this Entry

“Glow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glow. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

glow

1 of 2 verb
1
: to shine with or as if with great heat : give off light without flame
glowing coals
2
: to have a rich warm usually reddish color
3
: to be or look warm and flushed (as from excitement)
glow with pride

glow

2 of 2 noun
1
: brightness or warmth of color
a rosy glow of health
2
a
: warmth of feeling
b
: a feeling of physical warmth
3
: light such as that given off by something that is very hot but not flaming

More from Merriam-Webster on glow

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