The difference between Gleam and Glimmer

When used as nouns, gleam means a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light, whereas glimmer means a faint light.

When used as verbs, gleam means to shine, whereas glimmer means to shine with a faint, unsteady light.

check bellow for the other definitions of Gleam and Glimmer

  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.

  1. Glimmer as a noun:

    A faint light; a dim glow.

    Examples:

    "The glimmer of the fireflies was pleasant to watch."

  2. Glimmer as a noun:

    A flash of light.

  3. Glimmer as a noun:

    A faint or remote possibility.

    Examples:

    "A glimmer of hope."

  4. Glimmer as a noun (dated):

    mica

  1. Glimmer as a verb (intransitive):

    To shine with a faint, unsteady light.

    Examples:

    "The fireflies glimmered in the dark."

    "the glimmering dawn; a glimmering lamp"

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