glitter

glitter — verb

1. to send out many tiny, bright flashes of light when light hits a surface that is

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to send out many tiny, bright flashes of light when light hits a surface that is smooth or made of many small parts

Example

Mayumi's necklace glittered under the bright lights of the restaurant.

intransitive verb — subject is a shiny object

Nikos watched the snow glitter on the mountain as the sun came up.

Common collocations
  • glitter in the light
  • glitter under the sun
  • glitter like diamonds
Synonyms
  • sparkle

    more lively, often with a dancing or shifting quality

  • glisten

    used for wet or oily surfaces

  • gleam

    a steady, soft shine rather than many tiny flashes

  • shimmer

    a soft, wavering shine, often on water or fabric

Antonyms
  • darken

    to become dark and lose shine

Usage Note

Often used for small, dry, or hard surfaces that break light into many tiny points. Compare with 'glisten', which is typically used for wet or oily surfaces.

Common Mistakes

The wet road glittered in the rain.
The wet road glistened in the rain.
'glisten' is preferred for wet surfaces; 'glitter' suits dry, reflective surfaces.

2. (of a person's eyes) to shine with a sharp brightness that reveals a strong feel

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

(of a person's eyes) to shine with a sharp brightness that reveals a strong feeling such as excitement, anger, or desire

Example

Yara's eyes glittered with happiness when she saw the puppy.

glitter + with + emotion noun

A cold anger glittered in Stephanie's eyes as she listened.

Common collocations
  • eyes glitter with
  • glitter with anger
  • glitter with excitement
Synonyms
  • flash

    a very brief, sudden brightness; suggests a stronger, more dangerous feeling

  • gleam

    a softer, steadier brightness; can suggest humour or warmth

  • shine

    more general and less intense; also for eyes showing ordinary happiness

Usage Note

Only used for eyes, not for other facial features. The emotion is usually intense and briefly visible. Frequently combined with 'with' plus an emotion noun such as 'anger', 'excitement', 'triumph'.

Common Mistakes

His face glittered with anger.
His eyes glittered with anger.
'glitter' for emotions applies only to the eyes, not the whole face.
Idioms

all that glitters/glistens/glisters is not gold

idiom

Something that looks valuable or attractive may not be truly good or valuable.

Maya thought the job offer was perfect, but all that glitters is not gold.

Remember that all that glitters is not gold when you see those flashy advertisements.

glitter — noun

Word family

  • glittery
    adjectiveB2
  • glittering
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five verbs describe light reflecting off a surface, but each captures a different visual quality. 'Glitter' suggests many tiny, sharp points of light breaking off a dry, hard surface — like a diamond or frost. 'Sparkle' is more lively and dancing, often used for something that moves or shifts (sequins on a dress, bubbles in champagne). 'Glisten' is reserved for wet or oily surfaces — a rain-soaked street, freshly polished leather, or sweat on skin. 'Gleam' describes a steady, soft shine with a smooth, uninterrupted glow, such as polished metal or clean windows. 'Shimmer' suggests a wavy, trembling light on a larger surface, like moonlight on water or heat haze on a road. For example: 'The morning dew glistened on the grass' (wet surface), while 'The diamond glittered under the shop lights' (dry, hard surface).

glitter ↗sparkle ↗glistengleamshimmer

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • glitter with excitement
  • glitter with anger

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'glitter' comes from the Old Norse word 'glitra', meaning 'to shine or sparkle'. It entered Middle English as 'gliteren' around the 1300s. The noun form developed later to describe both the physical sparkle and, by the 1600s, the figurative sense of superficial attraction. The material sense (tiny decorative particles) appeared in the late 1800s alongside the rise of mass-produced decorations.