1 glisten | Definition of glisten

glisten

verb
glis·​ten | \ ˈgli-sᵊn How to pronounce glisten (audio) \
glistened; glistening\ ˈgli-​sᵊn-​iÅ‹ How to pronounce glistening (audio) \

Definition of glisten

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to give off a sparkling or lustrous reflection of or as if of a moist or polished surface

glisten

noun

Definition of glisten (Entry 2 of 2)

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Choose the Right Synonym for glisten

Verb

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. lightning flashed gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background. lights gleamed in the valley glint implies a cold glancing light. glinting steel sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light. the sparkling waters glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming. glittering diamonds glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface. glistening wet sidewalk glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam. a distant glimmering light shimmer means shining with a wavering light. a shimmering satin dress

Examples of glisten in a Sentence

Verb

Rain made the streets glisten. The streets glistened in the rain. Her eyes glistened with tears. a long beach of glistening sand
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In it, Johnson's Hobbs, his traditional tattoos glistening under the night sky, roars alongside his brothers in arms, calling upon their ancestors. chicagotribune.com, "Dwayne Johnson brought his Samoan roots to spinoff ‘Hobbs & Shaw’," 28 July 2019 But Western civ’s idea of agriculture is mechanized and soulless, and uses genetic modifications to create innumerable soft, fresh doughnuts glistening with glaze that shimmers like an angel’s tears of gratitude . . James Lileks, National Review, "Girth Dearth," 11 July 2019 The truck and trailer glistened with restoration work. Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Truck History Museum Rolls Into Brooklyn," 28 June 2019 But on a recent morning, her lips glistened with ruby lipstick. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: This cafe in India is fully run by acid attack survivors," 18 Apr. 2019 Mini lacquer trophies glistened under the bathroom lights of his suite at the London Hotel. Vogue, "Watch Jonathan Van Ness Prep for His Instantly Iconic Red Carpet Moment at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards," 17 Sep. 2018 No-Cook Cashew Chicken with Broccoli and Bell Pepper (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic) Servings: 4 Shredded chicken, glistening in a sweet and salty glaze of hoisin and sesame. Robin Miller, azcentral, "Healthy summer dinners you can make without turning on the oven," 31 July 2019 Nana, Mom, and my sister glistened with Hawaiian Tropic — a trio of golden-tanned nereids in black swimsuits and designer sunglasses. Alison Fields, Longreads, "On, In, or Near the Sea: A Book List," 25 July 2019 The spectacular folio on the left shows Christ in majesty, enthroned in an abstract eternity of glistening, polished gold. Los Angeles Times, "Review: Unicorns are just one of the wild rides in the Getty’s marvelous ‘Book of Beasts’," 23 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Exuding an air of power and sophistication, Mnonja literally sparkles from head to toe—her hair, makeup, jewelry, clothes, fingernails and shoes all glisten with rhinestones. Anne Showalter, Smithsonian, "The Fierce Pride and Passion of Rhinestone Fashion," 9 Aug. 2019 The fish should have a bit of a glisten to it and seem plump and firm. Emma Wartzman, Bon Appétit, "Can You Actually Swap Fish In a Recipe?," 1 Aug. 2019 The glisten sinks in a minute later and imparts a velvety texture to your skin, which made spreading on my mineral sunscreen afterward easy—no small feat. Rachel Nussbaum, Glamour, "Laneige's New Moisturizer Looks Like Whipped Cream for Your Face," 28 Sep. 2018 The sugars will caramelize until the ribs are dark brown, and the salty-spicy-sweet glaze will make the whole thing glisten. Alyse Whitney, Bon Appetit, "You’d Never Know These BBQ Ribs Were Cooked in the Instant Pot," 20 June 2018 Pale pink scrims of raw Hamachi ($16) glisten with bright plum sauce and pop with the sharp tang of pickled onion. Michael Nagrant, RedEye Chicago, "At BLVD, you'll find approachable fine dining in a glamorous setting," 6 Oct. 2017 Picture a large Atlantic codfish: Her scales glisten and her chin whiskers are long. Ben Guarino, Anchorage Daily News, "We’re fishing exactly the wrong fish, scientists warn," 10 May 2018 Built in the 1930s, the crisp 165-foot boat glistens in bright white and shiny wood. Beth Spotswood, San Francisco Chronicle, "A cruise back in time on the ‘Floating White House’," 25 Apr. 2018 The Stila and Onomie have formulas on the moister side, which covers your highlighter base with a healthy-looking glisten. Rachel Nussbaum, Glamour, "Call Me Crazy, But I Can't Stop Wearing Brown Blush," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glisten.' 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 glisten

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for glisten

Verb and Noun

Middle English glistnen, from Old English glisnian; akin to Old English glisian to glitter, geolu yellow — more at yellow

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More Definitions for glisten

glisten

verb

English Language Learners Definition of glisten

: to shine with light reflected off a wet surface

glisten

verb
glis·​ten | \ ˈgli-sᵊn How to pronounce glisten (audio) \
glistened; glistening

Kids Definition of glisten

: to shine with a soft reflected light