Word choice · C1
Glow, gleam, glisten, shimmer, glint
Each of these verbs describes a different physics. Something glows when the light comes from inside it. It gleams when a smooth dry surface returns the light cleanly, and glistens when the surface is wet. It shimmers when the light trembles, and glints when metal or glass throws off one hard flash. Choosing the right one tells the reader what the thing is made of.
Which word, and why
- glow
light from inside, steady, no flame
To give out a soft steady light, often because something is hot.
glowing embers · a warm glow · glow with pride
- gleam
a clean shine off a smooth, dry surface
To reflect light brightly because the surface is polished.
gleaming white teeth · a gleaming kitchen · the blade gleamed
- glisten
the surface is wet
To shine because of water, oil or sweat on the surface.
glistening with sweat · glistening cobbles · eyes glistening with tears
- shimmer
the light trembles or wavers
To shine with a soft, unsteady light, as over heat or moving water.
shimmering heat · a shimmering lake · shimmering silk
- sparkle
many tiny points of bright light
To shine in small flashes from many places at once.
sparkling water · her eyes sparkled · sparkling wine
- flicker
unsteady — it keeps nearly going out
To burn or shine with a light that wavers and threatens to fail.
a flickering candle · the screen flickered · a flicker of hope
- blaze
fiercely bright, out of control
To burn or shine very strongly.
a blazing fire · blazing sunshine · eyes blazing with anger
- glint
one hard, brief flash off metal or glass
To give a short sharp flash of reflected light.
a glint of metal · a glint in his eye · sunlight glinted off the water
- twinkle
intermittent, small, friendly
To shine with a light that goes on and off, as a star does.
twinkling stars · eyes twinkling with mischief
- smoulder
burning slowly with no flame
To burn on quietly, producing smoke rather than fire.
smouldering ashes · smouldering resentment
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The embers still faintly in the grate at four in the morning.