glance
/ɡlɑːns/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡlæns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈglan(t)s/ (ame, mw)
glance — verb
- glancepresent simple I / you / we / they
- glanceshe / she / it
- glancedpast simple
- glancing-ing form
1. to look at someone or something very quickly and then look away, often without s
to look at someone or something very quickly and then look away, often without studying the details carefully.
Omar glanced at his watch and saw he was already late for the meeting.
glance + at + noun phrase (person/thing looked at)
Mei glanced through the bookshop window to see if the new novel was on display.
glance + through + noun phrase (looking into a space)
The teacher glanced around the classroom to check that every student was working quietly.
Kenji glanced quickly at the menu before telling the waiter what he wanted to order.
Amara glanced over her notes one last time before walking into the exam room.
文法句型
glance + at + noun phrase
glance + adverb particle (through/over/around/down) + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense always takes a preposition (at, through, over, around, down, up) before the object. Never use it as a transitive verb with a direct object.
常見錯誤
2. of light or a shiny surface to produce a quick, bright flash as light hits the s
of light or a shiny surface to produce a quick, bright flash as light hits the surface and bounces away at an angle.
Sunlight glanced off the lake and made it hard for Sofia to see her way.
glance + off + surface (light reflecting)
Moonlight glanced across the metal barn roof, giving it a soft silver glow.
The afternoon sun glanced off the glass building and cast warm light onto the street.
The headlights of passing cars glanced off the wet pavement, making the street glow.
文法句型
glance + off + noun phrase (surface)
glance + across + noun phrase (surface)
用法筆記
Common in literary and descriptive writing. The subject is typically a light source (sunlight, moonlight) or a reflective surface (water, glass, metal).
3. in cricket to hit the ball with the bat angled so that it goes behind the batter
in cricket to hit the ball with the bat angled so that it goes behind the batter with only a small change of direction, typically to the boundary.
The batsman glanced the ball neatly past the wicketkeeper for four runs.
glance + the ball + adverb of direction
Wei watched the experienced player glance the ball behind him towards the boundary.
The coach showed the young player how to glance the ball through the leg-side gap.
Fatima's favourite cricketer can glance even the fastest deliveries to the boundary rope.
文法句型
glance + the ball + adverb (to/behind/past)
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the sport of cricket, which is played mainly in the UK, Australia, South Asia, and the Caribbean. It is not used in other ball sports.
常見錯誤
glance — noun
- glancesingular
- glancesplural
1. a very quick look at someone or something that lasts only a moment and does not
a very quick look at someone or something that lasts only a moment and does not focus on details.
Elena took a quick glance at her phone to check for messages from her brother.
take + a + glance + at + noun phrase
One glance at the dark clouds told João to bring an umbrella.
The doctor's brief glance at the chart told her what treatment to give next.
Yuki exchanged a glance with her sister when their uncle told the same old story.
A glance at the messy room told the landlord the tenants had not cleaned it.
- stare
a long, fixed look at someone or something
文法句型
a + glance + at + noun phrase
at + first + glance
take + a + glance
用法筆記
Commonly used in fixed phrases such as 'at first glance', 'take a glance', 'exchange glances', and 'steal a glance'.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe what you notice, understand, or assume when first seeing or con
used to describe what you notice, understand, or assume when first seeing or considering someone or something, often before a closer look may change that impression.
Kwame knew at first glance that the apartment would be perfect for his growing family.
at first glance (immediate recognition)
At first glance the paintings look the same, but different artists made them years apart.
At first glance the maths problem seemed easy, but it turned out to be difficult.
The data looked correct at first glance, but a closer check found several mistakes.
At first glance the old house looked cold, but inside it was warm and bright.
- at first sight
very similar meaning, but more often used for people or visual impressions
文法句型
at + first + glance (fixed phrase)
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'at first glance'. This single sense covers both immediate recognition (something noticed straight away) and initial impressions that may change after closer examination — the latter use is often followed by a contrasting clause with 'but' or 'however'.