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

I’d watch for the glint in her blue-gray eyes as they light up, barely looking up at the screen from the knitting in her hands, with the knowledge of whodunnit.

From Time

When Howard Carson first opens the door to Tomb 26, he observes that “everywhere there was the glint of plastic.”

From Vox

It may not be unlike situations where we might catch a glint of sunlight in the ocean.

From Nautilus

The glint of sunlight or a headlamp beam off of a space blanket can make you visible to searchers from much further out than usual.

From Outside Online

So he lifts up every thing with even a tiny glint and hopes that it’s the thing that either becomes the agreed-upon proof of his point or serves to convince at least a few people that he might be right.

From Washington Post

Billy Bob Thornton, explaining the biggest appeal of the project for him, calls it, with a glint in his eye, “a 10-hour movie.”

From The Daily Beast

I scanned the nightstand but did not see the familiar glint of gold- a tiny lighthouse shining: HERE ARE YOUR GLASSES.

From The Daily Beast

On the second day, he entered court at much the same pace, with a steely glint in his eye.

From The Daily Beast

She could see the glint of the moon upon the bay, and could feel the soft, gusty beating of the hot south wind.

From Project Gutenberg

Something with the glint of bright steel flashed from the lunch box under the man's arm.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter saw the glint of gold coins between the meshes of the purse and her heart throbbed.

From Project Gutenberg

It showed in his grey eyes and the glint in his carelessly combed light brown hair and the set of his jawline.

From Project Gutenberg

The lips assumed an appearance of somewhat exaggerated indifference, but there was a glint of watchfulness in the eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gleam
• glimmer
• twinkle