glimpse

1 of 2

verb

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Sam glimpses the joy and nobility of comradeship and thus begins her quest to save, if not the entire world, then her personal piece of it. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 Those with small telescopes will be able to glimpse its polar ice cap. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meanwhile, incorporated six images from the last 12 months into their card—offering a glimpse of their family life in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024 Some scientists speculate that these objects may be the remnants of previous binary star mergers, suggesting that D9 could offer a glimpse into their origin. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glimpse 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of glimpse was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near glimpse

Cite this Entry

“Glimpse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glimpse. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

glimpse

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on glimpse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!