glimmer
gb/ɡlˈɪmɚ/ us/ɡlˈɪmɚ/
B2
English
~ 9300
reménysugár, halvány fény, derengés, pislákol, felvillan, halvány jel, nyom
NOUN
B2
1
reménysugár
B2
Usage pattern:
a glimmer of [hope/optimism/possibility]
After hours of searching, they finally saw a glimmer of hope when the rescue team arrived.
Órákig tartó keresés után a mentőcsapat érkezése végre reménysugarat jelentett számukra.
The election results offered a glimmer of hope for real change in the country.
A választási eredmények reménysugarat jelentettek a valódi változásra az országban.
Her quick smile gave him a glimmer of hope that she might forgive him.
Recent talks have shown a glimmer of hope for ending the conflict.
Despite the bad news, there was still a glimmer of hope in his voice.
Learner examples
The doctor’s words gave him a glimmer of hope.
Az orvos szavai reménysugarat adtak neki.
There is a glimmer of hope that she will get the job.
Van némi remény arra, hogy megkapja az állást.
The team still has a glimmer of hope of winning.
His message brought a small glimmer of hope to everyone.
We looked for any glimmer of hope in the report.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"a glimmer for hope"* instead of *"a glimmer of hope"*. The correct preposition is almost always **of**: *a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of possibility*.
Meaning
a small sign of hope
Collocations
a glimmer of hope
|a glimmer of optimism
|a glimmer of possibility
|a glimmer of interest
|a faint glimmer
|only a glimmer
Synonyms
hint (Suggests a small or indirect sign; slightly broader and more general than 'glimmer'.)
|
ray (of hope) (Very close in meaning; a bit more emotional or dramatic in tone.)
|
trace (Emphasizes a very tiny amount; can be used for many things, not just positive hopes.)
Antonyms
hopelessness (Describes a complete lack of hope, the opposite of even a small sign of hope.)
|
certainty (A situation where the outcome is sure, not just suggested by a small sign.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very small sign that something good may happen.
A faint or slight sign that something good or desired may be possible, especially in the future.
NOUN
B2
2
halvány fény
A2
derengés
B2
Usage pattern:
a glimmer of [light/candlelight]
A faint glimmer of light shone through the crack in the door.
Halvány fény szűrődött át az ajtó repedésén.
We saw the first glimmer of dawn on the horizon.
Megláttuk a hajnal első derengését a látóhatáron.
There was a soft glimmer of candlelight in the old chapel.
The only glimmer in the cave came from their phones.
A distant glimmer on the sea showed where the boats were.
Learner examples
I saw a glimmer of light under the door.
Halvány fényt láttam az ajtó alatt.
There was a glimmer of moonlight on the water.
Halvány holdfény derengett a vízen.
We walked toward a small glimmer in the dark.
The stars gave a weak glimmer in the night sky.
A glimmer of light helped us find the exit.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *glimmer* with stronger words like *shine* or *flash*. *Glimmer* is always weak and faint; if the light is strong or bright, use *shine*, *glow*, or *flash* instead.
Meaning
a faint or weak light
Collocations
a glimmer of light
|a glimmer of candlelight
|a glimmer in the distance
|the first glimmer of dawn
|a soft glimmer
|a faint glimmer
Synonyms
gleam (Usually suggests a slightly stronger or clearer light than a glimmer.)
|
twinkle (Often used for small, quickly changing lights like stars; can sound more playful.)
Antonyms
darkness (Describes the complete or near-complete absence of light, opposite of even a faint light.)
Themes
nature
|daily_life
|visual
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small, weak light that you can just see.
A faint, weak, or unsteady light that is not very bright.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
3
pislákol
B2
Usage pattern:
[light] glimmers in/through/from [place]
A single lantern glimmered at the far end of the street.
Az utca távoli végén egyetlen lámpás pislákolt.
Tiny stars glimmered faintly above the city lights.
Apró csillagok pislákoltak halványan a városi fények fölött.
Light from the fireplace glimmered through the thin curtains.
The city’s lights glimmered in the distance across the bay.
Candle flames glimmered on the dining table as the sun went down.
Learner examples
A small light glimmered in the dark room.
Egy kis fény pislákolt a sötét szobában.
The stars glimmered above the quiet town.
A csillagok pislákoltak a csendes város fölött.
A lamp glimmered behind the window.
Little lights glimmered on the Christmas tree.
The moon glimmered on the black water.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *glimmer* for people or feelings (e.g. *"She glimmered"*) when they actually mean her **eyes** or **hope** glimmered. As a literal verb, it should describe something that produces or reflects light.
Meaning
to shine faintly or weakly
Collocations
lights glimmered
|stars glimmered
|glimmered in the distance
|glimmered faintly
|glimmered through the fog
|glimmered on the horizon
Synonyms
flicker (Emphasizes a quick, repeated change in light; *glimmer* stresses faintness more than movement.)
|
gleam (Suggests a clearer, sometimes sharper light; often a bit brighter than a glimmer.)
Antonyms
go out (Describes a light that stops shining completely, opposite of continuing to glimmer.)
Themes
nature
|visual
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To give a small, weak light that you can just see.
To shine with a faint, weak, or unsteady light.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
4
felvillan
B2
Usage pattern:
[emotion/hope/idea] glimmers in [someone/something]
For a second, anger glimmered in his eyes before he looked away.
Egy pillanatra harag villant a szemében, mielőtt elfordult.
A new idea glimmered in her mind as she read the article.
Miközben a cikket olvasta, egy új ötlet villant fel benne.
Hope glimmered in the community after the announcement of new funding.
A shy smile glimmered on his face and then vanished.
Suspicion glimmered in her voice, though she tried to sound calm.
Learner examples
Hope glimmered in her eyes when she heard the news.
Remény villant a szemében, amikor meghallotta a hírt.
A small smile glimmered on his face.
Halvány mosoly villant át az arcán.
For a moment, an idea glimmered in his mind.
Fear glimmered in their voices.
A little interest glimmered when he saw the new game.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this figurative sense in casual speech, where simpler verbs like *appear*, *show*, or *seem* are more natural. *Glimmer* in this meaning sounds more literary or poetic.
Meaning
to appear faintly or briefly
Collocations
hope glimmered
|interest glimmered
|a smile glimmered
|doubt glimmered
|possibility glimmered
|glimmered for a moment
Synonyms
flicker (Also used figuratively; often suggests something that appears and almost disappears quickly.)
|
surface (Means to become visible or known; more neutral and less poetic than *glimmer*.)
Antonyms
fade (To slowly disappear; often used when the faint feeling or idea goes away instead of appearing.)
Themes
emotions
|cognition
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To appear only a little or for a short time, usually as a feeling or idea.
To be seen, felt, or noticed only slightly or for a short time, especially of emotions, thoughts, or possibilities.
NOUN
C1
5
halvány jel
B1
nyom
B2
Usage pattern:
a glimmer of [understanding/recognition/doubt]
The student finally showed a glimmer of understanding during the last exercise.
A diák az utolsó feladat során végre a megértés halvány jelét mutatta.
There was a glimmer of recognition on her face when she heard his name.
Amikor meghallotta a nevét, a felismerés halvány jele jelent meg az arcán.
He listened without a glimmer of interest.
Her apology contained a glimmer of honesty, but it still felt incomplete.
The report offered a glimmer of clarity on a very complex issue.
Learner examples
The child now has a glimmer of understanding of the rules.
A gyerek most már a szabályok megértésének halvány jelét mutatja.
I saw a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
A felismerés halvány jelét láttam a szemében.
She watched the game without a glimmer of interest.
His face showed a glimmer of doubt.
At last, there is a glimmer of understanding between them.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"a glimmer in understanding"* or drop the preposition completely. The usual pattern is **a glimmer of [something]**: *a glimmer of understanding, a glimmer of interest*.
Meaning
a very small amount of something
Collocations
a glimmer of understanding
|a glimmer of recognition
|a glimmer of doubt
|a glimmer of awareness
|the first glimmer of
|without a glimmer of
Synonyms
trace (Very close in meaning; often slightly more neutral and common across contexts.)
|
hint (Similar, but can also suggest an indirect sign rather than a tiny quantity.)
Antonyms
full understanding (Describes complete grasp of something, as opposed to only a tiny amount.)
Themes
cognition
|emotions
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A tiny amount of a feeling, quality, or idea that you can just notice.
A very small amount or degree of a feeling, quality, or idea, often just enough to be noticed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
glimmer
IPA
GB/ɡlˈɪmɚ/
US/ɡlˈɪmɚ/
Syllables & stress
glim - mer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (glim)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: glimmer
- Plural: glimmers
Verb
- Base: glimmer
- 3rd Person Singular: glimmers
- Present Participle: glimmering
- Past: glimmered
Word family
Forms
glimmers
noun
glimmering
verb
glimmered
verb
Expressions
a glimmer of hope
1/ə ɡlˈɪmɚ əv hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
a small sign that things may improve
A very small sign that something good may happen in the future.
Examples
- The medicine gave patients a glimmer of hope after years of failed treatments.
- There is still a glimmer of hope that the two sides will reach an agreement.
- The new job offer brought a glimmer of hope to the family.
a glimmer of understanding
1/ə ɡlˈɪmɚ əv ˌʌndɚstˈændɪŋ/
fixed phrase
a tiny amount of understanding
A very small amount of understanding that someone starts to have.
Examples
- By the end of the class, the children showed a glimmer of understanding.
- His questions suggested a glimmer of understanding of the problem.
- After talking for hours, there was finally a glimmer of understanding between them.
not a glimmer
1/nˈɑt ə ɡlˈɪmɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
no sign of something at all
No sign of something at all, not even a very small one.
Examples
- There was not a glimmer of interest in his eyes.
- She waited for an apology, but there was not a glimmer.
- We searched for hours and found not a glimmer of light.