glimpse

1 of 2

verb

ˈglim(p)s How to pronounce glimpse (audio)
glimpsed; glimpsing
Synonyms of glimpse

transitive verb

: to get a brief look at
glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

intransitive verb

1
: to look briefly
glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside
2
archaic : glimmer
glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2

noun

1
: a fleeting view or look
caught only a glimpse of the mugger
2
archaic : glimmer

Synonyms of glimpse

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Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of glimpse in a Sentence

Verb We glimpsed him through the window as his car sped past. just glimpsed at the photo then turned his attention elsewhere Noun We caught a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past. I only got a glimpse of him as we drove by.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Other soldiers, friendlies and enemies alike, are glimpsed through trees or plumes of smoke. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 Here are the peak dates to glimpse these dazzling celestial events, according to the American Meteor Society. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
But my grandmother’s note also gave me a chilling glimpse of the familial tension that Dad held coiled inside. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 The findings offer a rare glimpse into how leprosy patients may have lived during the Middle Ages, including who could afford to receive care. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glimpse

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glimsen; akin to Middle High German glimsen to glimmer, Old English glǣm gleam

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for glimpse

See All Rhymes for glimpse

Browse Nearby Words

glimmery
glimpse
Glinka
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glimpse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glimpse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

glimpse

1 of 2 verb
ˈglim(p)s How to pronounce glimpse (audio)
glimpsed; glimpsing
: to take a brief look : see momentarily or incompletely
glimpsed the deer running
glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2 noun
: a short hurried view
catch a glimpse of something rushing by
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