glint

[ glint ]

noun

1. a tiny, quick flash of light.

   Synonyms: glimmer, gleam

2. gleaming brightness; luster.
3. a brief or slight manifestation or occurrence; inkling; trace.

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with a glint.
2. to move suddenly; dart.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to glint; reflect.

glint

/ ɡlɪnt /

verb

1. to gleam or cause to gleam brightly

noun

1. a bright gleam or flash
2. brightness or gloss
3. a brief indication

Word History and Origins

Origin of glint¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English glint, variant of obsolete glent; compare Danish glente, Swedish dialect glänta “to glimpse, brighten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of glint¹

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish dialect glänta, glinta to gleam

Synonym Study

See flash.

Example Sentences

As a model and mother of three married to model Lucky Blue Smith, she has become the embodiment of luxury fashion meeting its lifestyle counterpart, with only a glint of moralizing.

From Los Angeles Times

White afternoon light glinted off the stout silver handle.

From Los Angeles Times

Salmond modernised and professionalised the SNP, ensuring its machinery was overhauled and its message was polished until it glinted like granite in the sun.

From BBC

Margolyes, who also shared the screen with Dame Maggie in Ladies in Lavender, said the actress always had a "glint of mischief".

From BBC

In these scenes, it’s hard to take your eyes off the glinting McAvoy, who’s like some fiendish juggler of items both benign and dangerous.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gleam
• glimmer
• twinkle