Definition

Adjective: * Shining brightly, especially with a soft or subdued light: Describes something that is bright and gleaming, but often with a steady, gentle, or polished quality rather than a harsh or flashing one.

Usage

The word "agleam" is a descriptive adjective, often used in literary or evocative contexts to paint a vivid picture. It typically describes surfaces that reflect light in a clean, bright, and attractive way. It can be used predictively (after a linking verb like was or lay) or attributively (before a noun).

Examples

• The freshly waxed car sat in the sun, its surface agleam.
• After the rain, every leaf in the garden was agleam with droplets.
• She polished the old silver until it was agleam.
• The knight's armor was agleam in the torchlight.
• The table was set with china and crystal, all agleam under the chandelier.

Advanced Usage

• "Agleam with [something]": A common construction to specify the source or cause of the gleaming.
  • The kitchen was agleam with polished copper pots.
  • His eyes were agleam with mischief.

Variants and Related Words

• Gleam (verb/noun): The root word. As a verb: to shine brightly. As a noun: a brief or subdued flash of light.
  • A light gleamed in the distance. (verb)
  • He saw a gleam of hope. (noun)
• Gleaming (adjective/gerund): Shining brightly; the act of shining brightly.
  • She handed him a gleaming trophy.

Synonyms

• Shining: Emitting or reflecting light.
• Glistening: Shining with a sparkling light, often from being wet.
• Glinting: Giving out or reflecting small flashes of light.
• Polished: Made smooth and shiny by rubbing.
• Lustrous: Having a soft, radiant shine.

Antonyms

• Dull: Lacking brightness or shine.
• Tarnished: Lost its luster, especially metal.
• Matte: Having a dull, non-reflective surface.
• Dim: Not bright or clear.

Adjective

1. bright with a steady but subdued shining
   • from the plane we saw the city below agleam with lights
   • the gleaming brass on the altar
   • Nereids beneath the nitid moon