shimmer

/'ʃimə/

Thân thiện

The lake's surface began to shimmer in the morning sun.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A soft, wavering, or flickering light: A faint, tremulous light that seems to move slightly, often creating a gentle, unsteady glow.
   • A soft, sparkling visual effect: A soft, glistening play of light, often seen on surfaces like water, silk, or iridescent materials.

2. Verb:

   • To shine with a soft, wavering light: To emit a faint, tremulous, or flickering light.
   • To reflect light softly and unsteadily: To present a visual effect where light appears to quiver or sparkle gently on a surface.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The shimmer of the candlelight created a romantic atmosphere.
  • We watched the beautiful shimmer of sunlight on the ocean waves.

• Verb:

  • The sequins on her dress shimmered under the stage lights.
  • The desert heat made the distant highway shimmer like a mirage.

Advanced Usage

• "to take on a shimmer": to begin to exhibit a soft, glowing light.
  • As the sun set, the lake took on a golden shimmer.
• "a shimmer of [abstract quality]": a faint suggestion or hint of a non-physical quality (used metaphorically).
  • There was a shimmer of hope in her voice.

Variants and Related Words

• Shimmering (adj): emitting a soft, wavering light.
  • The shimmering surface of the lake was mesmerizing.
• Shimmery (adj): having a quality that shimmers; glittery.
  • She bought a shimmery eyeshadow.

Synonyms

• Glisten: To shine by reflecting light, often from a wet or smooth surface.
• Glitter: To shine with bright, sparkling points of light.
• Gleam: To shine brightly, especially with reflected light.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Verb Phrases

(Note: "shimmer" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed alone.)

Related Idioms

• "All that glitters is not gold": This proverb about deceptive appearances is conceptually related to "shimmer," as both deal with attractive but sometimes superficial qualities of light and appearance.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a weak and tremulous light
   • the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
   • the play of light on the water

Verb

1. give off a shimmering reflection, as of silk
2. shine with a weak or fitful light
   • Beech leaves shimmered in the moonlight

Từ đồng nghĩa

• play