glimpse
/ɡlɪmps/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡlɪmps/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈglim(p)s/ (ame, mw)
glimpse — verb
- glimpsepresent simple I / you / we / they
- glimpses3rd person singular
- glimpsing-ing form
- glimpsedpast simple
1. to see someone or something for only a moment or not completely, typically when
to see someone or something for only a moment or not completely, typically when they are moving past you or you are moving past them
Hana glimpsed a deer in the forest as the train rushed past.
glimpse + moving object in passing
Through the thick fog, the sailors glimpsed the outline of a lighthouse.
Ziad only glimpsed the singer's face before the crowd blocked his view.
From the plane window, Quinn glimpsed the desert stretching below.
The teacher glimpsed a familiar face among the hundreds of parents.
- spot
suggests noticing something suddenly but not necessarily briefly; can imply more focused attention
- catch sight of
more informal; similar duration but often describes something unexpected
- notice
can refer to any kind of observation; does not carry the same brevity as glimpse
- stare at
a long, deliberate look rather than a momentary one
- scrutinise
to examine very carefully and in detail, opposite of a quick look
文法句型
glimpse + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with adverbs like 'only' or 'just' to emphasise how quickly the sighting happened. The object is often something moving, distant, or partially hidden.
常見錯誤
glimpse — noun
- glimpsesingular
- glimpsesplural
1. a moment when you briefly see someone or something, often missing part of it or
a moment when you briefly see someone or something, often missing part of it or seeing it pass by quickly
Mira caught a glimpse of the comet through her telescope before it disappeared.
catch a glimpse of [fleeting object]
Reporters outside the courthouse hoped for a glimpse of the famous actor.
The old photograph gave Lien a brief glimpse of her grandmother's young face.
A glimpse of the ocean through the trees made Hugo want to stop the car.
Visitors to the cave caught only a fleeting glimpse of the rare crystals.
文法句型
a glimpse of [something]
用法筆記
Most commonly found in the phrase 'catch/get a glimpse of'. Unlike 'look', which can describe any duration, 'glimpse' specifically implies brevity and often incompleteness.
常見錯誤
2. a short moment or small piece of information that quickly helps you form an idea
a short moment or small piece of information that quickly helps you form an idea about the nature of something
The documentary gave viewers a glimpse into the daily life of a monk.
a glimpse into [abstract domain]
Renata's short internship offered a glimpse of the challenges nurses face.
This chapter provides a glimpse of life in rural Japan during the 1800s.
A tour of the lab gave students a glimpse into how vaccines are developed.
- insight
implies a deeper and more thorough understanding than glimpse
- indication
a sign or piece of information pointing toward something; less visual than glimpse
- impression
a general feeling or idea; broader and sometimes less precise
- thorough understanding
complete and detailed knowledge, opposite of a brief idea
文法句型
a glimpse of [abstract]
a glimpse into [abstract]
用法筆記
Always figurative — unlike the physical 'brief look' sense. Typically followed by 'of' or 'into'. Common with verbs like 'give', 'offer', 'provide'.