glimpse

1 of 2

verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

transitive verb

: to get a brief look at

glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

intransitive verb

1

: to look briefly

glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside

2

archaic : glimmer

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2

noun

1

: a fleeting view or look

caught only a glimpse of the mugger

2

archaic : glimmer

Synonyms

Verb

• browse
• dip
• glance
• glint
• peek
• skim

Noun

• cast
• eye
• gander
• glance
• look
• peek
• peep
• regard
• sight
• view

Examples of glimpse in a Sentence

Verb

We glimpsed him through the window as his car sped past.

just glimpsed at the photo then turned his attention elsewhere

Noun

We caught a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past.

I only got a glimpse of him as we drove by.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And as long as stargazers are in a dark location, equipment like telescopes and binoculars shouldn't be necessary to glimpse a shooting star. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

As soon as the Brulé glimpsed Harney’s troops the women began to strike tepees, loading lodge poles, skins and other belongings onto travois, sledges drawn by horses and dogs. —Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

Instead of offering viewers a glimpse of the big reveal in each episode, we get walloped with a U-turn over the course of two or three episodes. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

The presentation offers a glimpse at how SpaceX views the long-term future of Starlink. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glimsen; akin to Middle High German glimsen to glimmer, Old English glǣm gleam

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

glimpse

1 of 2 verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

: to take a brief look : see momentarily or incompletely

glimpsed the deer running

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2 noun

: a short hurried view

catch a glimpse of something rushing by