glitter

[ glit-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to reflect light with a brilliant, sparkling luster; sparkle with reflected light.
2. to make a brilliant show.

noun

1. a sparkling reflected light or luster.

   Synonyms: sparkle

2. showy splendor.
3. small glittering ornaments.

glitter

/ ˈɡlɪtə /

verb

1. (of a hard, wet, or polished surface) to reflect light in bright flashes
2. (of light) to be reflected in bright flashes
3. usually foll by with to be decorated or enhanced by the glamour (of)

   the show glitters with famous actors

noun

1. sparkle or brilliance
2. show and glamour
3. tiny pieces of shiny decorative material used for ornamentation, as on the skin
4. Also calledsilver thaw ice formed from freezing rain

Derived Forms

• ˈglittery, adjective
• ˈglitteringly, adverb

Other Words From

• glitter·ing·ly adverb
• outglitter verb (used with object)
• un·glitter·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glitter¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse glitra; compare Old English glitenian, German gleissen “to shine, glitter”

Word History and Origins

Origin of glitter¹

C14: from Old Norse glitra; related to Old High German glīzan to shine

Idioms and Phrases

see all that glitters is not gold .

Synonym Study

See flash.

Example Sentences

Nearby, Manny Yekutiel, the owner of Manny’s, a restaurant and civic gathering space in the city’s Mission District, was buzzing around showing off his “patriotic nails” painted red white and blue and festooned with glitter.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the standouts is a riff on the piña colada called “To the Moon,” with a not-of-this-planet look that comes by way of a bright purple butterfly pea flower extract and a dusting of cocktail glitter.

From Los Angeles Times

Dancing with the Stars is known for its glitz and glitter, and a staple of US television for almost 20 years.

From BBC

The Vegas project, on the drawing board to be built near downtown’s Glitter Gulch, won’t have its own art collection, so expect LACMA’s oceanic theme displays from the Geffen to be packaged for regular travel to Nevada.

From Los Angeles Times

Cult sunglasses brand Akila and streetwear brand Market have collaborated on a collection of sharp rectangular frames in classic black, camouflage and green glitter candy paint — with the iconic Smiley punctuating the temple of each pair.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• glamour
• glitz
• luster
• sheen