shimmer
gb/ʃˈɪmɚ/ us/ʃˈɪmɚ/
B2
English
csillog, csillámlik, remeg, vibrál, csillogás, csillámlás, halvány felcsillanás, halvány jel, finom csillogás
VERB
B2
1
csillog
A2
csillámlik
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] shimmers (in/under [light])
The lake shimmered in the morning sun.
A tó csillogott a reggeli napsütésben.
A row of candles shimmered behind the window glass.
Gyertyák sora csillogott az ablaküveg mögött.
Her silver dress shimmered as she moved.
Learner examples
The water shimmers in the sun.
A víz csillog a napfényben.
The stars shimmer at night.
A csillagok éjjel csillognak.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse shimmer with glitter (many bright points of light) or sparkle (small flashes of light).
Meaning
shine with soft, shifting light
Collocations
shimmer in the sunlight
|shimmer in the moonlight
|shimmer with light
|shimmer softly
|shimmer faintly
|shimmer on the water
|shimmer across the surface
|shimmering sea
|shimmering lake
|shimmering fabric
Synonyms
glimmer (Usually weaker and less continuous than shimmer.)
|
gleam (Often steadier and less wavering than shimmer.)
|
glitter (Brighter, with many sharp points of light.)
Antonyms
dim (To become or be less bright rather than softly shining.)
|
dull (Lacking shine or brightness.)
Themes
nature
|weather
|visuals
Definition
to shine gently and change a little as you look at it
To shine with a soft light that seems to move slightly or change as it reflects.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] shimmers (in [heat]/in the distance)
The air above the road shimmered in the midday heat.
Az út feletti levegő remegett a déli hőségben.
Distant hills shimmered through the haze.
A távoli dombok vibráltak a párában.
The horizon shimmered, making the buildings look unreal.
Learner examples
The air shimmers when it is very hot.
Nagy hőségben remeg a levegő.
The road shimmers in the heat.
Az út remeg a hőségben.
Common mistake:
Learners may use wave for the visual effect; shimmer is specifically about a trembling/blurred look, often in heat.
Meaning
look wavy from heat or distance
Collocations
shimmer in the heat
|shimmer in the distance
|shimmer above the road
|shimmering air
|shimmering haze
|shimmering horizon
|shimmering heat
|shimmering mirage
|shimmering asphalt
|shimmering desert
Synonyms
waver (Emphasizes unsteady movement or appearance, not necessarily light.)
|
ripple (Suggests a wave-like visual effect.)
|
quiver (Implies a small, trembling visual motion.)
Antonyms
steady (Not moving or fluctuating in appearance.)
|
clear (Not blurred or distorted by haze or heat.)
Themes
nature
|weather
|visuals
Definition
to look like it is moving because the air is hot or unclear
To appear to move, ripple, or vibrate visually, especially because of heat, haze, or distance.
NOUN
B2
3
csillogás
A2
csillámlás
C1
Usage pattern:
a shimmer of [light/color]
A pale shimmer of light lay on the water.
Halvány csillogás ült a vízen.
We saw the first shimmer of dawn in the east.
Megláttuk keleten a hajnal első halvány derengését.
A shimmer ran across the metal as it caught the light.
Learner examples
I can see a shimmer on the water.
Látok egy csillogást a vízen.
There is a soft shimmer of light.
Lágy fény dereng.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse sparkle/glitter; shimmer is softer and less sharp.
Meaning
a soft, shifting shine
Collocations
a shimmer of light
|a shimmer of gold
|a faint shimmer
|a soft shimmer
|a subtle shimmer
|a shimmer on the water
|a shimmer across the surface
|a shimmer in her eyes
|a pearly shimmer
|a silvery shimmer
Synonyms
gleam (Often a steadier shine than a shimmer.)
|
sheen (A smooth, even shine rather than a wavering one.)
|
glimmer (A weak or intermittent light, often less noticeable than a shimmer.)
Antonyms
dullness (Lack of shine or glow.)
|
darkness (Absence of light.)
Themes
visuals
|nature
Definition
a gentle shining light that seems to move
A soft light or glow that seems to move or change slightly.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
4
Usage pattern:
a shimmer of [hope/optimism/excitement]
There was a shimmer of hope in her voice.
Halvány remény csengett a hangjában.
The new evidence offered a shimmer of possibility.
Az új bizonyíték a lehetőség halvány jelét adta.
Even in the worst moments, he kept a shimmer of optimism.
Learner examples
The news gave me a shimmer of hope.
A hír adott egy kis reményt.
I felt a shimmer of excitement.
Az izgatottság halvány jelét éreztem.
Common mistake:
This sense is more figurative; in everyday speech people often say a glimmer or a hint instead.
Meaning
a small sign of something
Collocations
a shimmer of hope
|a shimmer of optimism
|a shimmer of excitement
|a shimmer of possibility
|a shimmer of joy
|a faint shimmer
|a brief shimmer
|a sudden shimmer
|offer a shimmer of hope
|give a shimmer of hope
Synonyms
glimmer (More common in everyday speech for a small sign of hope.)
|
hint (More direct and less poetic than shimmer.)
|
trace (Emphasizes a very small amount that remains.)
Antonyms
certainty (The opposite of a slight suggestion.)
|
despair (Contrasts with a shimmer of hope.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
Definition
a small sign of a feeling (like hope)
A slight sign or suggestion of a feeling or quality, often used in phrases like a shimmer of hope.
NOUN
B2
5
Usage pattern:
[product] with shimmer; add shimmer to [something]
This highlighter adds a soft shimmer to your cheekbones.
Ez a highlighter finom csillogást ad az arccsontodnak.
She chose a nail polish with a pearly shimmer.
Gyöngyházfényű körömlakkot választott.
The fabric has a subtle shimmer that catches the light.
Learner examples
I like eyeshadow with shimmer.
Szeretem a finoman csillogó szemhéjfestéket.
This lipstick has a soft shimmer.
Ennek a rúzsnak finom csillogása van.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse shimmer (subtle shine) with glitter (larger, more obvious sparkles).
Meaning
sparkly finish in makeup or materials
Collocations
subtle shimmer
|soft shimmer
|gold shimmer
|pearly shimmer
|shimmer eyeshadow
|shimmer highlighter
|shimmer finish
|add shimmer
|a touch of shimmer
|shimmer effect
Synonyms
sheen (Often smoother and less sparkly than shimmer.)
|
sparkle (Usually brighter flashes, less smooth than shimmer.)
|
glitter (More obvious, with larger or sharper sparkles.)
Antonyms
matte (Completely non-shiny finish.)
|
flat (Lacking shine or reflective quality.)
Themes
fashion
|beauty
|shopping
Definition
a gentle sparkle in makeup or cloth
A slightly sparkly, light-reflecting finish, especially in makeup, nail polish, or fabric.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shimmer
IPA
GB/ʃˈɪmɚ/
US/ʃˈɪmɚ/
Syllables & stress
shim - mer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (shim)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shimmer
- Plural: shimmer
Verb
- Base: shimmer
- 3rd Person Singular: shimmers
- Present Participle: shimmering
- Past: shimmered
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.