shimmer

1 of 2

verb

shim·​mer ˈshi-mər 

shimmered; shimmering 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

shimmer

2 of 2

noun

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

ˈshi-mə-rē 

ˈshim-rē

adjective

Synonyms of shimmer

Verb

• gleam
• glitter
• sparkle
• flash
• shine
• glisten

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

Verb

These crispy miniature cones are typically filled with chives and creamy crème fraîche, heavily topped with premium Siberian osetra caviar, and finished with shimmering gold leaf. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Both for the islanders and for us, the summer shimmers with a hallucinatory mixture of languor and emotional speed, as summers do in childhood. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

Noun

Matte eyeshadows are preferred — a little shimmer is okay, but nothing too glittery — as are vibrant yet neutral cheek and lip colors. — Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

The shimmer catches the light in all the right places—think collarbones, shoulders, and shins—while the summery scent options evoke beach days with notes like coconut, sunflower, and pineapple. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026

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

Rhymes for shimmer

• brimmer
• dimmer
• glimmer
• grimmer
• nimmer
• rimmer
• simmer
• skimmer
• slimmer
• swimmer
• timmer
• trimmer

Kids Definition

shimmer

verb

shim·​mer

ˈshim-ər

shimmered; shimmering

-(ə-)riŋ

: to shine with a wavering light : glimmer

shimmer noun