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View synonyms for

glimpse

[ glimps ]

noun

  1. a very brief, passing look, sight, or view.
  2. a momentary or slight appearance.
  3. a vague idea; inkling.
  4. Archaic. a gleam, as of light.


verb (used with object)

glimpsed, glimpsing.
  1. to catch or take a glimpse of.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

verb (used without object)

glimpsed, glimpsing.
  1. to look briefly; glance (usually followed by at ).
  2. Archaic. to come into view; appear faintly.

glimpse

/ ɡɪ /

noun

  1. a brief or incomplete view

    to catch a glimpse of the sea

  2. a vague indication

    he had a glimpse of what the lecturer meant

  3. archaic.
    a glimmer of light
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to catch sight of briefly or momentarily
  2. intrusually foll byat to look (at) briefly or cursorily; glance (at)
  3. archaic.
    intr to shine faintly; glimmer
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

Glimpse is sometimes wrongly used where glance is meant: he gave a quick glance (not glimpse ) at his watch
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • İ noun
  • ܲ· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of glimpse1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (verb); cognate with Middle High German glimsen “to glow”; akin to glimmer
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Word History and Origins

Origin of glimpse1

C14: of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German glimsen to glimmer
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The programme will be broadcast on Friday 9 May on BBC One, giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the band's preparations for Basel.

From

Tens of thousands of people braved the heavy rain for a glimpse of Pope Francis when he visited the shrine in 2018.

From

Additional spectators watched along the sidelines in hopes of glimpsing the series’ stars.

From

In an unpublished letter to his parents, Francis Huxley glimpsed something deeper at work: "There were too many Huxleys in that situation ... involving the shadows of our parents and the way we react to them."

From

The letters are at times humorous, sad, moving and mundane, offering a glimpse into the private and loving life the couple led before they were both found dead in their Santa Fe compound in February.

From

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glimmeringGlinka