glitter

1 of 2

verb

glit·​ter ˈgli-tər How to pronounce glitter (audio)
glittered; glittering; glitters

intransitive verb

1
a
: to shine by reflection with many small flashes of brilliant light : sparkle
sequins glittered in the spotlight
b
: to shine with strong emotion : flash
eyes glittering in anger
2
: to be brilliantly attractive, lavish, or spectacular
also : to be superficially attractive or exciting

glitter

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: sparkling brilliance of something that glitters
b
: a bright usually superficial attractiveness
c
: the quality of being spectacular
2
: small glittering objects used for ornamentation
glittery adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for glitter

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light.

flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

Examples of glitter in a Sentence

Verb The sequins on her dress glittered in the sun. Her eyes glittered with intelligence and amusement. Noun He was drawn to the glitter of the city's nightlife.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Grab your popcorn and curl up with your favorite fluffy blanket to devour all the glittering drama. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 End of carousel Those feelings were palpable at the Academy’s glittering Governors Awards ceremony in January, even as they were suffused with unimaginable grief: Several weeks earlier, Satter’s 33-year-old son, Michael Latt, had been shot and killed by an intruder at his home in Los Angeles. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 The picture featured Apfel in a billowing black dress with glittering gold details, a large statement collar, and a pair of her signature round glasses. Glamour, 2 Mar. 2024 For example, there has been a spate of blazes in China and the UAE—two countries known for recent waves of glittering, futuristic architecture. Alex Christian, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 He’s run Gaylord Apartments since 2021 with his boyfriend, John Tuite, in their living room with glittering views of Koreatown — windows framing the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory are in the next room. Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The large scale canvas features a woman on an interior chaise lounge in repose and with glittering rhinestone accents that make the oil and acrylic pastiche glitter and glimmer. Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 The business was a glittering antiques mall for set designers, party planners, decorators, society lions and Hollywood royalty. Penelope Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 On the first day of Milan Fashion Week, designer Daniel Del Core and Vogue Italia’s Francesca Ragazzi gathered a glittering group to celebrate the fall 2024 collections. Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
The Academy Awards is, of course, the ne plus ultra of Hollywood tickets, a show so drenched in glitter and glamour that, famously, even the famous sometimes don’t get an invite. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 In the words of Taylor Swift, there’s glitter (or, in this case, confetti) on the floor after the party. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024 Some of it is Instagram-ready: Diggins paints glitter on everyone else’s faces on race day, and the teams wear special striped socks for relays, and there are a lot of choreographed TikTok dances. Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2024 The final step was combining Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion with a sparkly glitter for a gorgeous glow. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 The area outside the Tokyo Dome was packed hours before doors opened on the first night Wednesday, with fans decked out in glitter, tassels, tiaras and kimonos. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024 Press the glitter on firmly to set it and avoid fallout. Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2023 The stores are full of hearts and flowers, pink and red everything, and sprinkles of glitter cover the floors. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 Artists Saweetie and Tyla picked sides, posting in sparkly pale pinks, posh body glitter and contoured blush. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glitter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English gliteren, perhaps from Old Norse glitra; akin to Old English geolu yellow

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near glitter

Cite this Entry

“Glitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glitter. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

glitter

1 of 2 verb
glit·​ter ˈglit-ər How to pronounce glitter (audio)
1
: to shine with brilliant or metallic luster
glittering sequins
2
: to shine with strong emotion
eyes glittered cruelly

glitter

2 of 2 noun
1
: sparkling brilliancy
2
: small glittering objects used for ornamentation
glittery adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on glitter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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