shimmer

[ shim-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with or reflect a subdued, tremulous light; gleam faintly.

   Synonyms: glimmer

2. to appear to quiver or vibrate in faint light or while reflecting heat waves.

noun

1. a subdued, tremulous light or gleam.
2. a quivering or vibrating motion or image as produced by reflecting faint light or heat waves.

shimmer

/ ˈʃɪmə /

verb

1. intr to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

1. a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Derived Forms

• ˈshimmeringly, adverb
• ˈshimmering, adjective

Other Words From

• shimmer·ing·ly adverb
• un·shimmer·ing adjective
• un·shimmer·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English schimeren, s(c)hemeren, Old English scimrian; cognate with Dutch schemeren, German schimmern “to glisten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

Old English scimerian; related to Middle Low German schēmeren to grow dark, Old Norse skimi brightness

Synonym Study

See glisten.

Example Sentences

Or, in the desert, when the ground is hot, and air is cool, and there is air turbulence, it might cause a shimmer at the horizon that looks like a pool of water.

From Popular-Science

The moon was coming up, and its mystic shimmer was casting a million lights across the distant, restless water.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw the tips of the fir trees shimmer, and heard them whisper as the breeze turned their needles towards the light.

From Project Gutenberg

The golden shimmer of Edna's satin gown spread in rich folds on either side of her.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked down, noticing the black line of his leg moving in and out so close to her against the yellow shimmer of her gown.

From Project Gutenberg

Farther down the river there was a flash of something white amidst the pale green shimmer of the flood.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gleam
• glint
• glow
• shine
• sparkle
• twinkle