glowed; glowing; glows
1
2
a
: to experience a sensation of or as if of heat
glowing with rage
b
: to show exuberance or elation
glow with pride
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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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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
Phrases Containing glow
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
glow
1 of 2 verb1
: 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 noun1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of glow for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of glow for Arabic Speakers
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