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

Five hundred of the shells were handmade, designed to explode with twinkling gold glitter and a weeping willow-esque effect.

From Washington Post

A nail polish organizer is a great way to display your glitters and golds whilst being easy on the eyes.

From Popular-Science

Not on the Strip, the famous part of city, with all the huge hotels and casinos and glitter.

From Freakonomics

There wasn’t much glitter or glam in The Year That Wasn’t, but you can change that.

From Washington Blade

All of which underscores why the recent glitter that the gold mining industry has witnessed isn’t about to wear off anytime soon.

From Ozy

Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Neil Patrick Harris in fishnets, high heels, and glitter could be a great gag.

From The Daily Beast

I sew, glue, glitter, cut, and tie numerous things onto my products to make the final creation.

From The Daily Beast

Or that one time Mariah Carey rambled four minutes about butterflies and then blew glitter into the wind?

From The Daily Beast

Beyoncé Covers Flaunt Magazine In Only Glitter: If you like it, then you should put some glitter on it.

From The Daily Beast

Beyonce covers the newest issue of Flaunt magazine wearing nothing but shimmering gold glitter.

From The Daily Beast

I only saw the glitter of a bayonet which a Mexican thrust into his shoulder, at the very moment he was helping me up.

From Project Gutenberg

The glitter of the Count's eyes fascinated him, and while under their spell he saw as the Count saw, felt as he felt.

From Project Gutenberg

She held out her clasped hands to him and the serpent-ring on her finger seemed to mock him with its uncanny glitter.

From Project Gutenberg

They were beyond the reach of money—beyond the glitter of gold—far from the cry of anguish.

From Project Gutenberg

The harness is extremely gay, painted in all colours, red and blue and yellow, and made up with bits of tinsel and glitter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• glamour
• glitz
• luster
• sheen