shimmer
1 of 2verb
intransitive verb
transitive verb
shimmer
2 of 2noun
Synonyms
Verb
- coruscate
- flame
- flash
- glance
- gleam
- glimmer
- glint
- glisten
- glister
- glitter
- luster
- lustre
- scintillate
- spangle
- sparkle
- twinkle
- wink
- winkle
Example Sentences
Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 8 Sep. 2022 Whatever Cassidy Hutchinson does with the rest of her career, her nearly two hours of testimony will shimmer forever. Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 28 June 2022 At 642 feet tall, the building soars above the Hudson River, featuring jagged sets of floor-to-ceiling windows that shimmer in the sun. Matthew Haag, New York Times, 13 June 2022 One garden even includes a koi pond with golden fish that shimmer in the sunlight, like DAC’s gleaming rods of anodized aluminum. Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 3 Feb. 2022 Not Beyoncé — her albums shimmer as rare visitations from the heavens, meant to awe and inspire. BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 That’s to destinations such as Costa Rica, where dozens of different hummingbird species buzz and shimmer in the air. John Kelly, Washington Post, 11 July 2022 From oils to creams—and even SPF—shimmer in a bottle comes in a variety of forms. Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 June 2022 Infused with the label’s Soleil Blanc fragrance, this oil leaves a gold and platinum leaf shimmer along with warm, spicy notes of white florals and amber-sandalwood. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 22 June 2022 Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2022 This serum-meets-moisturizer can be worn under, in or over her makeup and gives skin a subtle, yet bright shimmer. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 While Kate chose a soft shimmer to mark the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture, Meghan opted for a bold metallic silver minidress at look at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in 2015. Jennifer Newman, Town & Country, 20 July 2022 Also effective is her tactic of scattering transcripts, news articles, scholarship, and other documents throughout the narrative to propel the plot and cast a shimmer of veritas on the proceedings. Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2022 Silver fixtures and accessories provide shimmer against the crisp white tub and trim. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2022 This pink blush with a golden shimmer works to add color to the cheeks while brightening the face for a more radiant look. Kristin Granero, SELF, 15 July 2022 The shades were chosen for their buttery texture, and because neither contains any shimmer. Lauren Murdoch-smith, Vogue, 4 July 2022 These Marquee Shadow Palettes come with 15 multi-dimensional matte, satin, shimmer, and glitter tones that are blendable, buildable, and take center stage. Emerald Elitou, Essence, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Verb
Middle English schimeren, from Old English scimerian; akin to Old English scīnan to shine — more at shine
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
shimmer 1 of 2
verb
shimmer
2 of 2noun
shimmer 1 of 2
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- gleam
- glitter
- sparkle
- glint
- flash
- shine
- glisten
- twinkle
- glimmer
- glow
- luster
- spangle
- glister
- lustre
- flame
- scintillate
- glance
- wink
- winkle
- coruscate
- beam
- dazzle
- flare
- radiate
- blind
- glare
- daze
- blaze
- bedazzle
- burn
shimmer
2 of 2noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- glow
- sheen
- gleam
- glisten
- glint
- glare
- glimmer
- sparkle
- polish
- gloss
- twinkle
- luster
- lustre
- iridescence
- shine
- burnish
- blink
- luminance
- luminescence
- flicker
- irradiation
- illumination
- radiance
- luminosity
- brilliance
- glaze
- radiancy
- finish
- refulgence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dullness
- dimness
- drabness
- flatness
- paleness
- dulness
- grayness
- cloudiness
- dirtiness
- gloom
- dinginess
- somberness
- murkiness
- obscurity
- obscureness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of shimmer are flash, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," shimmer means shining with a wavering light.
The meanings of flash and shimmer largely overlap; however, flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.
While in some cases nearly identical to shimmer, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.
In some situations, the words glimmer and shimmer are roughly equivalent. However, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.
The words glint and shimmer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glint implies a cold glancing light.
The words glisten and shimmer can be used in similar contexts, but glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.
While the synonyms glitter and shimmer are close in meaning, glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.
Although the words sparkle and shimmer have much in common, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.