shimmered; shimmering
ˈshi-mə-riŋ 
ˈshim-riŋ
1
: to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light : glimmer
2
: to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted visual image
: to cause to shimmer
2
: a wavering sometimes distorted visual image usually resulting from heat-induced changes in atmospheric refraction
Synonyms
Examples of shimmer in a Sentence
Verb
The road shimmered in the heat.
a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights
Recent Examples on the Web
Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023
It's filled with 35 shimmering foils, vibrant pinks, and matte neutrals to create just about any look for any occasion.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023
This Ariel features a mix of locs and loose hair just like the Halle Bailey version and has a shimmering fin and scales all over her tail.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Nov. 2023
This isn't the first time she's shimmered in the accessories.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
Available in 10 vibrant eyeshadow stick shades, these colors range from shimmering neutrals to bold matte hues, perfect for holiday parties or ringing in the New Year.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Those were Matthew Perry’s last public words, in a cryptic Oct. 22 Instagram post accompanied by a photo of the Friends superstar reclining in his hot tub, the lights of the Pacific Palisades shimmering on the horizon.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023
White-sand beaches and shimmering blue water are just some of the most alluring traits.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023
Not far away, the white lights of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — the iconic starting point of the New York City Marathon — shimmered like a constellation in the dark sky.
—Andrew Keh Pete Kiehart, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2023
Stephen Witt, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023
Sparkle Motion Performing just before Santa's arrival in N.Y.C., Cher brings the shimmer to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
07 of 80
Poster Child
John Travolta spends Thanksgiving in London, attending a screening of the Disney+ original short film The Shepherd at the W London on Nov. 23.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023
With a touch of illuminating shimmer, this Ciaté Blush adds that perfect hint of glow to your cheeks, giving you a healthy, flushed look with a touch of brilliance.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
Tomei, more often than not, opts for neutral makeup hues: barely-there lip tints in subtle pinks and peaches, and warm brown eye shadow with the occasional touch of shimmer or black liner.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 7 Nov. 2023
This sweet set includes eyeshadow, blush, and two lip shimmers made from safe and organic materials.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 7 Nov. 2023
Swift, 33, and Kelce made all of New York City shimmer this weekend as they were spotted spending time together.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 16 Oct. 2023
Kiernan Shipka’s shimmer finds a home at the inner corners of the eyes, creating a bright, blushing bridal moment.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2023
His platinum blonde cotton candy wisp of hair shimmers in the harsh jailhouse lighting.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 25 Aug. 2023
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Verb
Also acceptable are glitters that are trapped inside inks, paints, pastes, and glues and other solid objects, and glitters that are completely contained, like the shimmering flakes that float inside snowglobes.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023
It's filled with 35 shimmering foils, vibrant pinks, and matte neutrals to create just about any look for any occasion.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023
This Ariel features a mix of locs and loose hair just like the Halle Bailey version and has a shimmering fin and scales all over her tail.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Nov. 2023
This isn't the first time she's shimmered in the accessories.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
Available in 10 vibrant eyeshadow stick shades, these colors range from shimmering neutrals to bold matte hues, perfect for holiday parties or ringing in the New Year.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2023
Those were Matthew Perry’s last public words, in a cryptic Oct. 22 Instagram post accompanied by a photo of the Friends superstar reclining in his hot tub, the lights of the Pacific Palisades shimmering on the horizon.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023
White-sand beaches and shimmering blue water are just some of the most alluring traits.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023
Not far away, the white lights of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — the iconic starting point of the New York City Marathon — shimmered like a constellation in the dark sky.
—Andrew Keh Pete Kiehart, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2023
Noun
The only clue that Diane wasn’t truly human was an uncanny shimmer in the whites of her eyes.
—Stephen Witt, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023
Sparkle Motion Performing just before Santa's arrival in N.Y.C., Cher brings the shimmer to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
07 of 80
Poster Child
John Travolta spends Thanksgiving in London, attending a screening of the Disney+ original short film The Shepherd at the W London on Nov. 23.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023
With a touch of illuminating shimmer, this Ciaté Blush adds that perfect hint of glow to your cheeks, giving you a healthy, flushed look with a touch of brilliance.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
Tomei, more often than not, opts for neutral makeup hues: barely-there lip tints in subtle pinks and peaches, and warm brown eye shadow with the occasional touch of shimmer or black liner.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 7 Nov. 2023
This sweet set includes eyeshadow, blush, and two lip shimmers made from safe and organic materials.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 7 Nov. 2023
Swift, 33, and Kelce made all of New York City shimmer this weekend as they were spotted spending time together.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 16 Oct. 2023
Kiernan Shipka’s shimmer finds a home at the inner corners of the eyes, creating a bright, blushing bridal moment.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2023
His platinum blonde cotton candy wisp of hair shimmers in the harsh jailhouse lighting.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 25 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shimmer.' 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 schimeren, from Old English scimerian; akin to Old English scīnan to shine — more at shine
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of shimmer was
before the 12th century
Articles Related to shimmer
Dictionary Entries Near shimmer
Cite this Entry
“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shimmer. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
shimmer
verb
shim·mer
ˈshim-ər
shimmered; shimmering
-(ə-)riŋ
: to shine with a wavering light : glimmer
shimmer
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on shimmer
Nglish: Translation of shimmer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shimmer for Arabic Speakers
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