glow

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

Synonyms of glow

• flame
• burn
• blaze
• flicker

Examples of glow in a Sentence

The coals glowed in the fireplace.

The fireplace glowed with the dying coals.

This toy glows in the dark.

Recent Examples on the Web

And for curls and coils, Carol’s Daughter has earned more than 12,000 glowing reviews—often in rotation in Vogue’s Kiana Murden’s regimen. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 June 2026

On a recent night in Havana, as another blackout darkened much of the city, taxi driver Leonardo Daniel González steered a friend’s glowing purple 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster through the darkness. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

From glowing skies to giant reefs, massive canyons, towering mountains, and roaring waterfalls, the planet’s greatest natural wonders show just how powerful and diverse nature can be. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026

Pregnant Aubrey Plaza was positively glowing at the 79th annual Tony Awards on Sunday night. —Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English glōwan; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing glow

• glow discharge
• glow lamp
• glow plug
• 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