glimmer
/'glimə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A faint, wavering, or unsteady light: A glimmer is a very faint, often intermittent, light that is barely visible.
- A slight sign or faint indication: A glimmer can also refer to a small, faint, or barely perceptible amount of something intangible, like an emotion or idea.
Verb:
- To shine faintly or unsteadily: To glimmer means to emit a faint, flickering light.
Examples
Noun:
- We saw a glimmer of light from the distant cottage window.
- After the long, difficult negotiation, there was finally a glimmer of hope for an agreement.
Verb:
- The stars glimmered in the night sky.
- The lake's surface glimmered in the moonlight.
Advanced Usage
"A glimmer of understanding/recognition": a very small amount of comprehension or awareness.
- A glimmer of understanding finally crossed his face.
"To go glimmering" (idiomatic, somewhat literary): to fade away or be lost.
- His ambitious plans went glimmering after the funding was cut.
Variants and Related Words
Glimmering (noun): an act or instance of glimmering; a faint light or sign.
- The first glimmerings of dawn appeared on the horizon.
Glimmering (adjective): shining faintly.
- We followed the glimmering light through the forest.
Synonyms
- Noun (light): gleam, flicker, shimmer, spark.
- Noun (indication): hint, suggestion, trace, inkling.
- Verb: gleam, shimmer, twinkle, flicker.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
(Note: "glimmer" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its usage is typically as a standalone verb or noun.)
Related Idioms
- "Not a glimmer": not even the slightest amount or sign.
- He showed not a glimmer of remorse for his actions.
Noun
- a slight suggestion or vague understanding
- he had no inkling what was about to happen
- a flash of light (especially reflected light)
Verb
- shine brightly, like a star or a light