shimmer

verb shim·mer \ ˈshi-mər \

Definition of shimmer

shimmered; shimmering play \ˈshi-mə-riŋ, ˈshim-riŋ\

intransitive verb

1 :to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light :glimmer

2 :to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted visual image

transitive verb

:to cause to shimmer

See shimmer defined for English-language learners

See shimmer defined for kids

Examples of shimmer in a Sentence

The road shimmered in the heat.
a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights

Recent Examples of shimmer from the Web

A dazzling herd of zebra thunder across the valley, their stripes shimmering in the blazing sun.

— karen d’souza, chicagotribune.com, "Safari West: A free-range zoo adventure in California," 17 Aug. 2017
Middle School Models: Makenna Uranga and Grace Bolton Makenna is wearing: Unicorn hooded bomber jacket, $39.90, and shimmer unicorn backpack, $34.50, both from Justice.

— star-telegram, "Looking smart," 28 July 2017
The white gloss enamel paint shimmered in the sunlight.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "East Chicago neighborhood fights to stay alive," 21 July 2017
Glitter, for the most part, is made up of tiny bits of shimmering, nonbiodegradable plastic that are bad for your skin and bad for the environment.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "Forecastle doesn't want you to bring glitter - but not for the reasons you might think," 3 July 2017
Add pink shadow and shimmer to your temples. Dampen a Beauty Blender sponge and press the same pink shadow from the first step, as well as an opalescent shimmer pigment, around the sides of your face. 10.

— brooke shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "11 Halloween Looks You Can Create With Makeup You Already Have," 30 June 2017
Using the same flat brush and shimmer pigment, press the product below your bottom lash line.

— brooke shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "11 Halloween Looks You Can Create With Makeup You Already Have," 30 June 2017
The sneaks in question are your classic white, high-top Air Force 1s, but these are bedazzled with shimmering sequins in pale pink and turquoise shades.

— sophie hirsh, Teen Vogue, "Nike Releases Sequined Unicorn Air Force 1s," 29 June 2017
The dresses flutter, the crickets hum and the cast poses for a final soft tableau, the faces and fabrics seeming to shimmer in the sunlight.

— moira macdonald, The Seattle Times, "Review: In ‘The Beguiled,’ a girls school turns out to be an unsafe refuge," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shimmer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shimmer

Middle English schimeren, from Old English scimerian; akin to Old English scīnan to shine — more at shine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

shimmer Synonyms

Synonyms

coruscate, flame, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, luster (or lustre), scintillate, flash, spangle, sparkle, twinkle, wink, winkle

Related Words

beam, radiate, shine; bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle; blaze, burn, flare, glare, glow

Synonym Discussion of shimmer

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

shimmer

noun

Definition of shimmer

1 :a light that shimmers :subdued sparkle or sheen :glimmer

2 :a wavering sometimes distorted visual image usually resulting from heat-induced changes in atmospheric refraction

—

shimmery

play \ˈshi-mə-rē, ˈshim-rē\ adjective

Recent Examples of shimmer from the Web

But one thing remained consistent — each outfit was covered in plenty of sparkle, shimmer and metallic accents.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "See Katy Perry's 10 Amazing Outfit Changes at the VMAs," 28 Aug. 2017
The mauve-brown shade is just subtle enough for a no-makeup, makeup day, but the shimmer helps give it an edge.

— devon abelman, Teen Vogue, "Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette: Everything You Need to Know," 10 Aug. 2017
Once the oil shimmers (a little bit of the fritter mixture will sizzle upon contact), drop in tablespoonfuls of the batter, without crowding them, and use the back of the spoon to press each mound into a flat pancake.

— julia turshen, chicagotribune.com, "The secret to cooking with your favorite summer produce: Keep it simple.," 2 Aug. 2017
The eight-car, 100-seat train shimmers on the outside, with a solid royal-blue paint job, accented by a single gold stripe, the Japan Times notes, while passengers can take in sweeping views of the Pacific coast during the three-hour journey.

— ryan craggs, CNT, "Japan's New Royal Express Train Offers a Luxurious Ride Through the Izu Peninsula," 1 Aug. 2017
Once the oil shimmers, stir in the onions; cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender and somewhat translucent.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Summer menus a snap with these green beans," 18 July 2017
According to her Instagram, the contour formula comes in light, medium, dark, and deep dark shades as well as matte and shimmer.

— krishna thakker, Fortune, "The Sales Projections for Kim Kardashian’s New Makeup Line Are Crazy," 20 June 2017
In the heat the city shimmers with tension, in the countryside animals seem to be up all night, watching.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "What Happened to the Scary Summer Horror Movie?," 16 June 2017
When the oil shimmers, add the bread and cook, turning partway through, until browned, about 4 minutes.

— Philly.com, "Spring Bread Salad with Asparagus, Radishes, Peas, and Mint," 1 June 2017

First Known Use of shimmer

1821

SHIMMER Defined for English Language Learners

shimmer

verb

Definition of shimmer for English Language Learners

: to shine with a light that seems to move slightly

SHIMMER Defined for Kids

shimmer

verb shim·mer \ ˈshi-mər \

Definition of shimmer for Students

shimmered; shimmering

:to shine with a wavering light :glimmer

shimmer

noun

Definition of shimmer for Students

:a wavering light

the shimmer of silver leaves

Learn More about shimmer

See words that rhyme with shimmer Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shimmer Spanish Central: Translation of shimmer Nglish: Translation of shimmer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shimmer for Arabic speakers

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Examples of shimmer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shimmer from the Web

Origin and Etymology of shimmer

shimmer Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of shimmer

shimmer

Definition of shimmer

shimmery

Recent Examples of shimmer from the Web

First Known Use of shimmer

SHIMMER Defined for English Language Learners

shimmer

Definition of shimmer for English Language Learners

SHIMMER Defined for Kids

shimmer

Definition of shimmer for Students

shimmer

Definition of shimmer for Students

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