Glimpse
/ɡlɪmps/
nounverbB1
Definition
A glimpse means to see something or someone for a very short moment, often quickly or partially. It can be used as a noun to mean the short look itself, or as a verb to describe the action of quickly seeing something.
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See It in Action
Noun: a quick or brief look
- •She caught a glimpse of the actor as he left the building.
- •I had only a glimpse of the painting before the lights went out.
- •The child got a glimpse of the fireworks through the window.
Verb: to see something quickly or briefly
- •I glimpsed a bird flying past the window.
- •He glimpsed the answer on the screen before it disappeared.
- •We glimpsed the mountains through the morning fog.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "glimpse" like "look," but much faster and shorter—just a quick peek
- ✓Picture someone catching a fast flash of an animal running by, not enough time to see all details
- ✓It's the feeling when you see a friend across the street for a moment before they disappear
- ✓Sounds like "glimps" → imagine a small light flash or sparkle that appears and disappears quickly
- ✓In stories, characters often get a glimpse of something mysterious before it vanishes
- ✓NOT like "stare" (long, focused look), "glimpse" is very brief and often accidental
- ✓NOT like "watch" (careful, longer observation), "glimpse" is quick and partial
- ✓NOT like "peek" (secret, intentional look), "glimpse" can be accidental or unplanned
Try Other Words
- •Peek: to look quickly and secretly (Use when the look is intentional and secret)
- •View: to see or watch something carefully (Use when the observation is longer or more focused)
- •Catch sight of: to see something briefly (Use in casual situations to mean a quick look)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No clear prefix or suffix; root word "glimpse" stands alone
- •Etymology: From Old English "glimps" or related to "glimmer," meaning a faint or brief light
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to mean a quick or faint look
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe brief or partial seeing in everyday speech and writing
Reflect & Connect
•When was the last time you caught a glimpse of something important or surprising? How did it make you feel?
•How does a brief glimpse change the way we understand or imagine things compared to a longer look?
Fill in the blanks
1.She got a glimpse of the actor ___ the crowd before he disappeared.
2.You can only glimpse the stars ___ the city lights at night.
3.Unlike a stare, a glimpse is very ___ and often ___.
4.He glimpsed the answer on the screen but didn't have time to ___ it.
5.When you glimpse something, it usually lasts for only a ___ moment.
6.The child glimpsed the puppy ___ the door before it ran away.
7.If you want to see clearly, you need more than just a ___ of the object.