Glittering
/ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
adjectiveverbB2present participle (for verb use)
Definition
Glittering describes something that shines or sparkles with small bright lights that often move or change. It can be used for physical things like stars, jewelry, or decorations, or for describing something impressive or successful in a non-literal way. As a verb, it means to shine with small flashes of light.
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See It in Action
Shining or sparkling with many small bright flashes
- •The glittering stars lit up the night sky.
- •She wore a glittering necklace that caught everyone's attention.
- •The snow was glittering in the sunlight.
(Verb) To shine with small flashes of light
- •The diamond ring was glittering under the lamp.
- •Her eyes were glittering with happiness.
- •The city lights glittered far away in the dark.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "glittering" like "shining" (A1 word), but with many tiny bright points of light that flash or sparkle, not just one smooth light
- ✓Picture sunlight on water, where many small lights jump and move quickly on the surface
- ✓It's the feeling of excitement or beauty when you see something bright and sparkling, like a party with lights or a shiny dress
- ✓Sounds like "GLIT-ter-ing" → imagine little bits of light "glittering" like tiny stars dancing in the air
- ✓Think of the glitter used in arts and crafts—small shiny pieces that catch the light and sparkle everywhere
- ✓NOT like "glow" (a steady, soft light), "glittering" is bright and sharp flashes of light
- ✓NOT like "shimmer" (soft, smooth shining), "glittering" is sharper and more sparkling
- ✓As a verb, "glittering" is an action of shining with many small lights, often moving or flashing
Try Other Words
- •Sparkling: shining with small bright flashes, often softer or smoother (Use when you want a gentler shine)
- •Shining: giving off light or brightness (Use when the light is steady and not flashing)
- •Twinkling: shining with small, quick flashes (Use for stars or lights that flash on and off)
- •Dazzling: very bright and impressive, sometimes too bright to look at (Use when the light is very strong and impressive)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "glitter" (root) + "-ing" (suffix meaning action or describing quality)
- •Etymology: "Glitter" comes from Middle English, related to the word "gleam," meaning to shine or sparkle
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe shining or sparkling light, especially small flashes
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe shiny, sparkling objects like jewelry, lights, or festive decorations; also used metaphorically for success or beauty
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of something "glittering" change when we talk about physical light versus success or beauty?
•Can something be glittering but not beautiful? What makes glittering things attractive or not?
Fill in the blanks
1.The necklace was glittering ___ the bright lights of the room, making everyone look at her.
2.Her eyes were glittering ___ excitement after hearing the good news.
3.Unlike a soft glow, glittering means light that ___ quickly in many small flashes.
4.The stars were glittering ___ the clear night sky, shining like tiny diamonds.
5.The city skyline was glittering ___ the darkness, showing many bright lights.
6.When jewelry is glittering, it often ___ small flashes of light from different angles.
7.Glittering is different from shining because it usually involves many ___ points of light instead of one steady light.