The difference between Flicker and Gleam

When used as nouns, flicker means an unsteady flash of light, whereas gleam means a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light.

When used as verbs, flicker means to burn or shine unsteadily, or with a wavering light, whereas gleam means to shine.


check bellow for the other definitions of Flicker and Gleam

  1. Flicker as a noun:

    An unsteady flash of light.

    Examples:

    "the flicker of the dying candle"

    "the flicker of a poorly tuned television set"

  2. Flicker as a noun:

    A short moment.

  1. Flicker as a verb (intransitive):

    To burn or shine unsteadily, or with a wavering light.

  2. Flicker as a verb (intransitive):

    To keep going on and off; to appear and disappear for short moments; to flutter.

  3. Flicker as a verb:

    To flutter; to flap the wings without flying.

  1. Flicker as a noun (US):

    Any of certain small woodpeckers, especially of the genus Colaptes.

  1. Flicker as a noun:

    One who flicks.

  1. Gleam as a noun:

    a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light.

  2. Gleam as a noun:

    a glimpse or hint; an indistinct sign of something.

    Examples:

    "The rescue workers preserved a gleam of optimism that they might still survive."

  3. Gleam as a noun:

    brightness or shininess; splendor.

  1. Gleam as a verb:

    To shine; to glitter; to glisten.

  2. Gleam as a verb:

    To be briefly but strongly apparent.

  3. Gleam as a verb (obsolete, falconry):

    To disgorge filth, as a hawk.