shimmer

[ shim-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with or reflect a subdued, tremulous light; gleam faintly.

   Synonyms: glimmer

2. to appear to quiver or vibrate in faint light or while reflecting heat waves.

noun

1. a subdued, tremulous light or gleam.
2. a quivering or vibrating motion or image as produced by reflecting faint light or heat waves.

shimmer

/ ˈʃɪmə /

verb

1. intr to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

1. a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Derived Forms

• ˈshimmeringly, adverb
• ˈshimmering, adjective

Other Words From

• shimmer·ing·ly adverb
• un·shimmer·ing adjective
• un·shimmer·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English schimeren, s(c)hemeren, Old English scimrian; cognate with Dutch schemeren, German schimmern “to glisten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

Old English scimerian; related to Middle Low German schēmeren to grow dark, Old Norse skimi brightness

Synonym Study

See glisten.

Example Sentences

The cat’s journey, which starts with its reflection in a shimmering pond, is the emotional center, but the large, long-legged bird’s story is especially touching, with Miyazaki-like echoes.

From Los Angeles Times

“So he has a reason for everything,” says a visibly delighted Golijov, who answered Coppola’s call for that scene by writing a shimmering, surging love theme.

From Los Angeles Times

Introducing the show, Du Beke compared Windsor to the shimmering Strictly trophy, with Riley adding she hoped the dancer would "shine down on us all and keep shining in heaven".

From BBC

"And yet there’s a certain shimmering effect that emerges out of that silence which is then pitted against these very solid marks, assertive application of colours."

From BBC

The lively canvas, hardly an illustration of an event, employs light-reflective silver and golden-brown metallic paints applied in vast fields of paisley-like commas that dematerialize into a spatially ambiguous surface shimmer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gleam
• glint
• glow
• shine
• sparkle
• twinkle