shimmer

1 of 2

verb

shim·​mer ˈshi-mər How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
shimmered; shimmering ˈshi-mə-riŋ How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
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 How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
ˈshim-rē
adjective
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
In The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, her performance as a Scottish schoolteacher who fills her students’ heads with dreams—even as her own blind spots include a fascination with fascism—is a quiet, shimmering marvel. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 27 Sep. 2024 Find it on Amazon This Eyeshadow Palette With Metallics Bring all of your mattes and shimmers out to shine with this eyeshadow palette that has a futuristic mix of black, grey, and silver tones. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2024
Noun
This pretty pink liquid is even flecked with shimmer made out of pearls, which not only give hair extra luster but also fortify it with its naturally occurring vital minerals. Devon Abelman, Allure, 2 Oct. 2024 Every Cent Add shimmer and luxury to your everyday look with this ring that TikTok users have fallen in love with. Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shimmer 

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

Dictionary Entries Near shimmer

Cite this Entry

“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shimmer. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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