Gleam - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Gleam means a faint or brief shine, often reflecting light softly. It can describe a subtle brightness, like the gleam of a polished surface or hope in someone’s eyes.
Definition:
A faint or brief light, especially reflected light; a flash or glow.
Synonyms:
glimmer, sparkle, shine, glow, flicker
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
dullness, darkness
Common Collocations:
faint gleam, golden gleam, gleam of hope, eyes gleam, sunlight gleams
Derivatives:
gleaming, gleamed
Usage Tips:
Use "gleam" to describe a soft or fleeting light; often implies brightness in darkness or hope in difficulty.
Common Phrases:
a gleam in the eye, the gleam of gold, catch a gleam
Etymology:
From Old English "glǣm," meaning brightness or splendor; related to "glow."
Examples:
- 1. The moon cast a soft gleam on the water.
- 2. Her eyes had a mischievous gleam when she smiled.
- 3. A faint gleam of hope kept him going.
- 4. The polished silver had a bright gleam under the light.