glow

1 of 2

verb

ˈglō 

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

Synonyms of glow

Verb

• flame
• burn
• blaze
• flicker

Noun

• glare
• light
• gleam
• illumination
• glint

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In Los Angeles, pregnant Kaley Cuoco is glowing in pink at the Emmy Awards, while Taylor Swift cheers for husband Travis Kelce at the Chiefs’ opening game in Kansas City, Missouri. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Here on the southern edge of Indonesia, the stars glow like light bulbs, even on the horizon. — Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

Every so often, an aspiring screenwriter wanders into the dim red glow of Jumbo’s Clown Room hoping to interview one of the dancers. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

It’s perfectly designed for sipping cocktails under the warm glow of the hotel's signature red canvas awnings and people-watching as Paris’s most chic inhabitants walk by. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

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

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glow

• glow discharge
• glow lamp
• glow plug
• glow stick
• glow up
• golden glow
• twilight glow

Rhymes for glow

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

glow

1 of 2 verb

ˈglō 

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