glitter

1 of 2

verb

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

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
ˈgli-tə-rē How to pronounce glitter (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of glitter

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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
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
This thematic dressing followed through to the state banquet in Washington, DC, in March 2026, where the diamond and ruby piece was the final glittering addition to her pink ensemble. — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 25 Oct. 2026 And while both embraced the glittering possibilities of party-season dressing, their respective interpretations couldn’t have been more different. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
Sinot kept the angelic vibes going with a bubblegum pink blush and lined mauve lip, plus lots of lashes and a little body glitter across Larsson's chest. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026 The boy was a soccer player who was enchanted by the idea of camping in the woods; Charlotte was bright and cheery, sometimes applying glitter to her father’s mustache. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glitter

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

Phrases Containing glitter

Rhymes for glitter

See All Rhymes for glitter

Browse Nearby Words

glitch
glitter
glitterance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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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
ˈglit-ə-rē How to pronounce glitter (audio)
adjective
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