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

But as her “Harry Potter” co-star Miriam Margolyes told the BBC, she had her own talent, unlike anybody else’s a ferocity, a glint of mischief, delight, and tenderness, a remarkable all-round wizard. . . she was the wizard of ‘Harry Potter.’

From Salon

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

From BBC

"I was sifting through the stones and saw something that resembled a piece of glass. I held it up to my eyes and saw a faint glint. That's when I knew I had found a diamond," he said.

From BBC

Instead, he got that glint we all love in his eye: “I’m going to sing with Meryl Streep? That may be the best sentence I’ve ever said out loud.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gleam
• glimmer
• twinkle