shimmer

[shim-er]

verb (used without object)

1. to shine with or reflect a subdued, tremulous light; gleam faintly.

   Synonyms: glimmer

2. to appear to quiver or vibrate in faint light or while reflecting heat waves.

noun

1. a subdued, tremulous light or gleam.

2. a quivering or vibrating motion or image as produced by reflecting faint light or heat waves.

shimmer

/ ˈʃɪmə /

verb

1. (intr) to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

1. a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Other Word Forms

• shimmeringly adverb
• unshimmering adjective
• unshimmeringly adverb
• shimmering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English schimeren, s(c)hemeren, Old English scimrian; cognate with Dutch schemeren, German schimmern “to glisten”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shimmer¹

Old English scimerian; related to Middle Low German schēmeren to grow dark, Old Norse skimi brightness

Synonym Study

See glisten.

Example Sentences

He often added tiny beads that shimmered like distant stars.

From Los Angeles Times

Musically, the band is everywhere on this track; it’s Memphis again, it’s Muscle Shoals; the guitars shimmer, full of resonance.

From Salon

“This is is where I was born and reared,” Matías said with both resignation and pride, ushering visitors onto a verdant patch shimmering in the aftermath of recent rains.

From Los Angeles Times

“Cortez the Killer” shimmers into existence, and a listener might contemplate that while it’s another one of Young’s monumental mid-’70s mythic journeys, it’s also essentially a story about imperialism.

From Salon

It doesn’t flirt like a tomato or shimmer like a cherry on its stem.

From Salon

Related Words

• gleam 
• glint 
• glow 
• shine 
• sparkle 
• twinkle