gleam

1 of 2

noun

ˈglēm 

1

a

: a transient appearance of subdued or partly obscured light

the gleam of dawn in the east

b(1)

: a small bright light

the gleam of a match

(2)

: glint

a gleam in his eyes

2

: a brief or faint appearance

a gleam of hope

gleamy

ˈglē-mē 

adjective

gleam

2 of 2

verb

gleamed; gleaming; gleams

intransitive verb

1

: to shine with or as if with subdued steady light or moderate brightness

2

: to appear briefly or faintly

a light gleamed in the distance

transitive verb

: to cause to gleam

Synonyms

Noun

• blaze
• flare
• fluorescence
• glare
• glow
• illumination
• incandescence
• light
• luminescence
• radiance
• shine

Verb

• coruscate
• flame
• flash
• glance
• glimmer
• glint
• glisten
• glister
• glitter
• luster
• lustre
• scintillate
• shimmer
• spangle
• sparkle
• twinkle
• wink
• winkle

Choose the Right Synonym for gleam

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 gleam in a Sentence

Noun

He saw the gleam of a flashlight in the distance.

the rich gleam of the polished wood

Verb

The sun gleamed on the water.

His eyes were gleaming with delight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

He’s been knee-deep in NASCAR since most of the other rookies were in diapers, or nothing more than a gleam in their father’s eye. —Greg Engle, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Scott’s Tom Ripley was a clean break from that of Matt Damon; instead of a petulant pretty boy seized by envy and lust, this Ripley was older (Scott is in his late forties) and scarier, a lonesome manipulator with a murderous gleam in his eye. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

The high-rise waist and slim fit help these gleaming pants look and feel more wearable. —Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024

Yes, the next two votes saw Andy and Genevieve eliminated in quick succession, taking a bit of the shine off of Operation Italy’s gleaming stature. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gleem, from Old English glǣm; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

gleam

noun

ˈglēm

1

: a small briefly visible light : glint

2

: a brief or faint appearance : trace

gleam of hope

gleam verb