The difference between Gleam and Glint

When used as nouns, gleam means a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light, whereas glint means a short flash of light.

When used as verbs, gleam means to shine, whereas glint means to flash or gleam briefly.


Glint is also adjective with the meaning: not sharp.

check bellow for the other definitions of Gleam and Glint

  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. Glint as a noun:

    A short flash of light.

    Examples:

    "I saw the glint of metal as he raised the gun."

  1. Glint as an adjective (archaic, Shropshire, of a blade):

    Not sharp; dull.

    Examples:

    "The knife is glint."

  1. Glint as a verb (intransitive):

    To flash or gleam briefly.

    Examples:

    "A wedding ring glinted on her finger."

  2. Glint as a verb (intransitive):

    To glance; to peep forth, as a flower from the bud; to glitter.

  3. Glint as a verb (archaic, Shropshire, transitive):

    To dry; to wither.

    Examples:

    "The sun glints grass and corn."