glint

[glint]

noun

1. a tiny, quick flash of light.

   Synonyms: glimmer, gleam

2. gleaming brightness; luster.

3. a brief or slight manifestation or occurrence; inkling; trace.

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with a glint.

2. to move suddenly; dart.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to glint; reflect.

glint

/ ɡlɪnt /

verb

1. to gleam or cause to gleam brightly

noun

1. a bright gleam or flash

2. brightness or gloss

3. a brief indication

Word History and Origins

Origin of glint¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English glint, variant of obsolete glent; compare Danish glente, Swedish dialect glänta “to glimpse, brighten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of glint¹

C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish dialect glänta, glinta to gleam

Synonym Study

See flash.

Example Sentences

"Being a safety steward, I'm supposed to be impartial - but how could I be last night?" he says, with a glint in his eye.

From BBC

On the drive out that afternoon, between fields of corn and sunflowers, miles of newly uncoiled barbed wire glint in the sunlight.

From BBC

Diver Mags Martin said: "Because we had torches, it glinted in the torchlight."

From BBC

Barely discernible in the May gloom, a glint of purple shone from the jacaranda’s canopy; nearby, seed pods dotted patches of green.

From Los Angeles Times

That demonic glint in her eye isn’t a ruse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gleam 
• glimmer 
• twinkle