glow

1 of 2

verb

ˈglō 

glowed; glowing; glows

intransitive verb

1

a

: to shine with or as if with an intense heat

embers glowing in the darkness

b(1)

: to have a rich warm typically ruddy color

cheeks glowing with health

(2)

: flush, blush

the children glowed with excitement

2

a

: to experience a sensation of or as if of heat

glowing with rage

b

: to show exuberance or elation

glow with pride

glow

2 of 2

noun

1

: brightness or warmth of color

especially : redness

2

a

: warmth of feeling or emotion

b

: a sensation of warmth

the drug produces a sustained glow

3

a

: the state of glowing with heat and light

b

: light such as is emitted by a solid body heated to luminosity : incandescence

Synonyms

Verb

• blaze
• burn
• combust
• flame

Noun

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

Examples of glow in a Sentence

Verb

The coals glowed in the fireplace.

The fireplace glowed with the dying coals.

This toy glows in the dark.

Noun

We could see the glow of the lamp in the window.

The town's lights cast a glow on the horizon.

the rosy glow of health

He felt a glow as he remembered the day they first met.

Their problems were all forgotten in the glow of victory.

She felt the glow from the fireplace.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

His second story collection, Chemical Valley, won the Alistair MacLeod Short Fiction Prize, received glowing reviews, and was a finalist for the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award and the ReLit Award. —Nicola Davison, Hazlitt, 10 Jan. 2025

In some shots, embers can still be seen glowing amid the wreckage. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

Strolling along the park’s paths, which are much quieter in the winter months, visitors will encounter powerful works depicting human emotions and relationships, framed by the soft glow of winter light. —David Nikel, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

With the flash used by the photographer, the crab looks to be standing at center stage, in the glow of a spotlight. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glow

• glow discharge
• glow lamp
• glow plug
• golden glow
• twilight glow

Kids Definition

glow

1 of 2 verb

ˈglō 

1

: to shine with or as if with great heat : give off light without flame

glowing coals

2

: to have a rich warm usually reddish color

3

: to be or look warm and flushed (as from excitement)

glow with pride

glow

2 of 2 noun

1

: brightness or warmth of color

a rosy glow of health

2

a

: warmth of feeling

b

: a feeling of physical warmth

3

: light such as that given off by something that is very hot but not flaming