glisten

1 of 2

verb

glis·​ten ˈgli-sᵊn 

glistened; glistening ˈgli-sᵊn-iŋ 

intransitive verb

: to give off a sparkling or lustrous reflection of or as if of a moist or polished surface

glisten

2 of 2

noun

: glitter, sparkle

Synonyms of glisten

Verb

• gleam
• shine
• shimmer
• sparkle

Choose the Right Synonym for glisten

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 glisten in a Sentence

Verb

Rain made the streets glisten.

The streets glistened in the rain.

Her eyes glistened with tears.

a long beach of glistening sand

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Mercury's steady light will shine low on the western horizon in the glow of the setting sun, as while Jupiter glistens close to its upper left, with Venus and the moon lining up beyond to create a spectacular planetary display. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 June 2026

There's so many beautiful national monuments in the city, and the Kennedy Center is this glistening one that's next to the river and near other major sites. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Some will envision the sun glistening off downtown’s skyline or illuminating the city’s verdant tree canopy. —Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 12 June 2026

The long curving claws of white ivory glistened their deadly threat. —Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glistnen, from Old English glisnian; akin to Old English glisian to glitter, geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glisten

• bisson
• christen
• frisson
• listen
• nissen
• hemolysin
• rifampicin

Kids Definition

glisten

verb

glis·​ten

ˈglis-ᵊn

glistened; glistening

ˈglis-niŋ, 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to shine by reflection with a soft luster or sparkle

glisten noun