First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1gleam
noun \ˈglēm\
: a small, bright light
: a bright or shining quality
: a small amount or sign of something
Full Definition of GLEAM
1
a : a transient appearance of subdued or partly obscured light <the gleam of dawn in the east> b (1) : a small bright light <the gleam of a match> (2) : glint <a gleam in his eyes>
2
: a brief or faint appearance <a gleam of hope>
— gleamy \ˈglē-mē\ adjective
See gleam defined for English-language learners
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Origin of GLEAM
Middle English gleem, from Old English glǣm; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow
Related to GLEAM
- Synonyms
- blaze, flare, fluorescence, glare, light, glow, illumination, incandescence, luminescence, radiance, shine
2gleam
verb
: to shine brightly
Full Definition of GLEAM
intransitive verb
1
: to shine with or as if with subdued steady light or moderate brightness
2
: to appear briefly or faintly <a light gleamed in the distance>
transitive verb
: to cause to gleam
See gleam defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GLEAM
1508
Related to GLEAM
Synonym Discussion of GLEAM
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>.
GLEAM Defined for Kids
1gleam
noun \ˈglēm\
Definition of GLEAM for Kids
1
: a faint, soft, or reflected light <the first gleam of dawn>
2
: a bright or shining look <She had a gleam in her eyes.>
3
: a short or slight appearance <a gleam of hope>
2gleam
verb
gleamedgleam·ing
Definition of GLEAM for Kids
1
: to shine with a soft light
2
: to give out gleams of light
Synonym Discussion of GLEAM
gleam, sparkle, and glitter mean to send forth light. gleam is used when light shines through something else or is reflected or shines against a dark background. <The lighthouse gleamed through the fog.> sparkle is used for something that has several changing points of light. <Water sparkled in the sunlight.> glitter is used for a brilliant sparkling of light. <The jewels glittered brightly.>
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