1 glimpse | Definition of glimpse

glimpse

verb
\ ˈglim(p)s How to pronounce glimpse (audio) \
glimpsed; glimpsing

Definition of glimpse

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 archaic : glimmer
2 : to look briefly glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside

transitive verb

: to get a brief look at glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

glimpse

noun

Definition of glimpse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 archaic : glimmer
2 : a fleeting view or look caught only a glimpse of the mugger

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Other Words from glimpse

Verb

glimpser noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for glimpse

Synonyms: Verb

browse, dip, glance, glint, peek, skim

Synonyms: Noun

cast, eye, gander, glance, look, peek, peep, regard, sight, view

Antonyms: Verb

gaze, stare

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Examples of glimpse in a Sentence

Verb

We glimpsed him through the window as his car sped past. just glimpsed at the photo then turned his attention elsewhere

Noun

We caught a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past. I only got a glimpse of him as we drove by.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Star Wars fans first glimpsed a Trandoshan when Bossk appeared Darth Vader’s bounty hunter roll call in The Empire Strikes Back. James Hibberd, EW.com, "The Mandalorian fights Trandoshans in new photo from Star Wars series," 3 Sep. 2019 Andy Baraghani glimpsed Maggie with her brother Jake at Mettā in Brooklyn. Alex Beggs, Bon AppĂ©tit, "What My Dream Grocery Store Looks Like," 3 Aug. 2019 During her time ziplining, Duffie glimpsed a surprise while looking in the trees. Jasmin S. Lee, Detroit Free Press, "Finding Mona Lisa 313 helps Detroit youth connect with life beyond portraits," 30 July 2019 Only 7 years after its last solar eclipse (a pretty short time cosmically speaking), America will glimpse another total solar eclipse will on April 8, 2024. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Never Too Early To Plan: What You Need to Know for the 2024 U.S. Solar Eclipse," 30 July 2019 After the icebox, from which his cousin was removed one day earlier, those two were separated; JosĂ© glimpsed him once in Florence. Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "“Just Keep Going North”," 5 July 2019 Two hours earlier, Albertini had glimpsed it around the neck of a middle-aged Italian woman traveling with her husband in a silver Audi. National Geographic, "A rare antelope is being killed to make $20,000 scarves," 24 Apr. 2019 Despite being so close to civilization -- indeed, its main beach area can be glimpsed from I-65, just south of Exit 13 at Saraland -- supporters say Chickasabogue offers an exceptional getaway. al, "Mobile County wants input on Chickasabogue improvements," 17 Aug. 2019 Forms remain abstract, although hints of body parts — an eye, a limb — and suggestions of plants, trees and buildings can be glimpsed. Los Angeles Times, "Review: Jay DeFeo show offers a provocative sketch of a California artist finding her voice," 17 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

More windows and openings will offer glimpses into spaces on different levels. Washington Post, "MoMA turns itself inside out for the 21st century," 5 Sep. 2019 The teaser includes a glimpse of Jordan as Stevenson, Jamie Foxx as Walter McMillian—who was wrongfully imprisoned of murder—and Brie Larson as local advocate Eva Ansley. Sydney Scott, Essence, "'Just Mercy' Teaser Puts Jamie Foxx And Michael B. Jordan On Display," 3 Sep. 2019 With the atmosphere of a final and a touching moment of sportsmanship, the two young stars offered an exciting glimpse into the future of women’s tennis. Stanley Kay, SI.com, "Naomi Osaka–Coco Gauff U.S. Open Showdown Preludes Exciting Future of Tennis," 1 Sep. 2019 But these moments, instead of heightening or contrasting what is already there, feel like incongruous glimpses of another dimension more than an organic part of this particular story. Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, "'You Will Die at Twenty' ('Satamoto Fel Eshreen'): Film Review | Venice 2019," 31 Aug. 2019 The programs saw a glimpse of what can happen Thursday, when the Southland’s Central Arkansas knocked off Conference USA opponent Western Kentucky 35-28. Greg Luca, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio’s Division I programs collide as UTSA, Incarnate Word meet for first time," 30 Aug. 2019 In many ways, 13 Reasons Why humanizes him in season three, offering glimpses into his family life that might explain his deplorable actions. Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "13 Reasons Why," 29 Aug. 2019 Visual illusions are fractures in the Matrix, fleeting glimpses into this deeper truth. Anil K. Seth, Scientific American, "The Neuroscience of Reality," 27 Aug. 2019 Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press Ever since Aidan Hutchinson was a little kid, he's had a glimpse of what could be in his future. Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's Hutchinson has plenty to live up to, and he knows it," 27 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glimpse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of glimpse

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for glimpse

Verb and Noun

Middle English glimsen; akin to Middle High German glimsen to glimmer, Old English glÇŁm gleam

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More Definitions for glimpse

glimpse

verb

English Language Learners Definition of glimpse

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to look at or see (something or someone) for a very short time

glimpse

noun

English Language Learners Definition of glimpse (Entry 2 of 2)

: a brief or quick view or look

glimpse

verb
\ ˈglimps How to pronounce glimpse (audio) \
glimpsed; glimpsing

Kids Definition of glimpse

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to catch a quick view of