gleam
/ɡliːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡliːm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈglēm/ (ame, mw)
gleam — verb
- gleampresent simple I / you / we / they
- gleamshe / she / it
- gleamedpast simple
- gleaming-ing form
1. to give back or send out a small, soft, steady light — the way polished metal ca
to give back or send out a small, soft, steady light — the way polished metal catches the sun, wet stone shines after rain, or a cat's eyes glow in the dark.
Raindrops gleamed on the windscreen as Amara drove through the fading storm.
collocation: gleam on [surface]
The old silver teapot gleamed after Fatima spent an hour polishing it.
Kwame's new bicycle gleamed in the morning sun, still spotless from the shop.
A row of lanterns gleamed softly along the garden path after sunset.
The wet pebbles on the beach gleamed under the afternoon light.
- shine
more general and often brighter; 'shine' works for the sun, a lamp, or polished shoes equally
- glimmer
weaker and more unsteady; a candle glimmers when it is almost out, while a clean mirror gleams
- shimmer
soft, wavering light — typically of water, heat haze, or silky fabric, not hard surfaces
- glint
sharper, quicker flash, often from metal or glass catching the light at an angle
- darken
to become dark; the opposite of giving off or reflecting light
文法句型
gleam + in/on + location
gleam + softly/faintly
2. (of eyes) to shine with a strong feeling such as excitement, mischief, hope, or
(of eyes) to shine with a strong feeling such as excitement, mischief, hope, or greed — showing an emotion through their brightness rather than through words.
Yuna's eyes gleamed with pride when the teacher held up her drawing.
pattern: eyes gleam with [emotion]
The old sailor's eyes gleamed as he told the children about the lost treasure.
Sven's eyes gleamed with mischief just before he hid his brother's shoes.
Dimitri watched the dessert trolley roll past, his eyes gleaming with greed.
The rescue dog's eyes gleamed when it spotted its owner across the park.
- sparkle
eyes that sparkle suggest joy and liveliness; 'gleam' can carry sharper emotions like mischief or greed
- glint
when eyes glint, the emotion is often harder — anger, suspicion, or cunning — rather than hope or pride
- light up
more general and warmer; a face or eyes can light up with happiness, but 'gleam' is narrower and more intense
文法句型
[someone's] eyes gleam with [emotion]
[emotion] gleams in [someone's] eyes
用法筆記
Subject must be eyes (or a look, gaze). Commonly used with emotions such as excitement, mischief, hope, greed, or amusement. Distinguish from sense 1 (SHINE SOFTLY), which describes physical light reflected from a surface.
常見錯誤
3. to show itself for only a moment or in a very slight way — used of a positive qu
to show itself for only a moment or in a very slight way — used of a positive quality such as hope, humour, or a smile that breaks through an otherwise serious or difficult surface.
A faint smile gleamed on Ingrid's face before she returned to her serious expression.
pattern: gleam on [someone's] face
Hope gleamed in the exhausted villagers' faces when they heard the helicopter.
A touch of humour gleamed through Mateo's stern warning, and the children relaxed.
For a moment, amusement gleamed in the doctor's tired eyes.
A trace of the old confidence gleamed in Ravi's voice during the interview.
- flicker
also describes something brief and faint; 'flicker' tends to be more literal about light, while 'gleam' in this sense is always figurative
- surface
focuses on emerging from beneath; 'gleam' emphasises the brief, shining quality of the appearance
- peep through
informal phrasal alternative — 'hope peeped through' is similar but less elegant
文法句型
[abstract quality] gleams + briefly/faintly
gleam on [someone's] face
gleam in [someone's] voice
用法筆記
Subject is typically an abstract quality — hope, humour, amusement, or a smile — that shows through a person's expression or voice. Often modified by 'faintly' or 'briefly.' Distinguish from sense 2 (EYES EXPRESS): sense 3 is about a quality briefly surfacing, not about the eyes themselves.
gleam — noun
- gleamsingular
- gleamsplural
1. a small, quick flash of light — often light reflected off a shiny surface, or a
a small, quick flash of light — often light reflected off a shiny surface, or a brief soft glow seen from a distance through darkness or shadow.
Priya spotted a gleam of headlights through the trees as the taxi finally arrived.
collocation: a gleam of [light source]
Hiroshi noticed a gleam of gold half-buried in the river sand.
The only light in the cellar was a faint gleam under the door.
Keiko caught a gleam of sunlight on the distant church tower.
A sudden gleam in the bushes turned out to be a cat's eyes.
- glint
harder, sharper flash — typically of metal, glass, or a weapon catching the light
- glimmer
weaker and fainter; a glimmer is barely visible, often distant or uncertain
- flash
brighter and more sudden; a flash of lightning, not a gleam of lightning
- sparkle
many small bright points dancing — sunlight sparkling on water, not a single gleam
文法句型
a gleam of [light source]
catch a gleam