glisten

1 of 2

verb

glis·​ten ˈgli-sᵊn How to pronounce glisten (audio)
glistened; glistening ˈgli-sᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce glisten (audio)
Synonyms of glisten

intransitive verb

: to give off a sparkling or lustrous reflection of or as if of a moist or polished surface

glisten

2 of 2

noun

: glitter, sparkle

Synonyms of glisten

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for glisten

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 glisten in a Sentence

Verb Rain made the streets glisten. The streets glistened in the rain. Her eyes glistened with tears. a long beach of glistening sand
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
The long curving claws of white ivory glistened their deadly threat. — Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 Only a shimmer of chicken fat glistened on the surface. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 Some will envision the sun glistening off downtown’s skyline or illuminating the city’s verdant tree canopy. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 12 June 2026 These technologies get utterly confused by the transition from a matte brick wall to a shiny metallic bumper, or from dull tissue to glistening bodily fluids. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for glisten

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glistnen, from Old English glisnian; akin to Old English glisian to glitter, geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glisten was before the 12th century

Rhymes for glisten

See All Rhymes for glisten

Browse Nearby Words

glissile
glisten
glistening
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glisten. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

glisten

verb
glis·​ten
ˈglis-ᵊn
glistened; glistening
ˈglis-niŋ, 
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to shine by reflection with a soft luster or sparkle
glisten noun

More from Merriam-Webster on glisten

Nglish: Translation of glisten for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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