gleam
gb/ɡlˈim/ us/ɡlˈim/
B1
Inglês
~ 4400
Acepções
0 acepção
Substantivo
B1
entity
1
A small, bright flash of light
A small or quick light that you can see for a short time.
Padrão de uso:
a gleam of [light/hope]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gleam' with 'beam'. A 'beam' is usually a larger, more directed light, while 'gleam' is small and brief.
Sinônimos
glimmer (Suggests a weaker or softer light than 'gleam'.)
Antônimos
darkness (The complete absence of light.)
Colocações
a gleam of light
|a faint gleam
|catch a gleam
Temas
vision
|nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- A gleam of sunlight shone through the clouds.
- She saw the gleam of a flashlight in the distance.
- The knife had a sharp gleam under the kitchen light.
Exemplos para estudantes
- I saw a gleam in the dark.
- The metal had a bright gleam.
- There was a small gleam from the candle.
Verbo
B1
action
2
To shine briefly or reflect light
To shine for a short time or to give off small flashes of light.
Padrão de uso:
[something] gleams in/under [light]
Erro comum:
Learners may use 'gleam' for continuous strong light; better to use 'shine' in that case.
Sinônimos
shine ('Shine' is more general and can last longer; 'gleam' suggests briefness or reflection.)
Antônimos
dull (To lose brightness or shine.)
Colocações
eyes gleam
|floor gleamed
|gleaming surface
Temas
vision
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
- The polished floor gleamed in the sunlight.
- The sword gleamed under the torchlight.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The car gleamed in the sun.
- His shoes gleamed after cleaning.
- The water gleamed in the moonlight.
Substantivo
B2
event
3
A quick sign of emotion in eyes/face
A quick look in someone's eyes that shows how they feel.
Padrão de uso:
a gleam of [emotion] in [someone's] eyes
Erro comum:
Learners might confuse this with the physical light meaning; here it is metaphorical and emotional.
Sinônimos
sparkle ('Sparkle' can suggest liveliness or cheer, while 'gleam' can carry any emotion.)
Antônimos
blankness (A lack of visible feeling or expression.)
Colocações
a gleam of joy
|a mischievous gleam
|gleam of anger
Temas
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
- She caught the gleam of pride on his face.
- His eyes held a gleam of hope.
Exemplos para estudantes
- I saw a happy gleam in her eyes.
- He had a strange gleam in his eyes.
- There was a soft gleam of love in her face.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
gleam
AFI
GB/ɡlˈim/
US/ɡlˈim/
Sílabas e tonicidade
gleam (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (gleam)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: gleam
- Plural: gleams
Verb
- Base: gleam
- 3rd Person Singular: gleams
- Present Participle: gleaming
- Past: gleamed
Família de palavras
Forms
gleams
noun
gleaming
verb
gleamed
verb
Expressões
a gleam in someone's eye
1/ə ɡlˈim ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz ˈaɪ/
idiom
An unrealized idea or plan
Something that is only an idea or hope and has not happened yet.
Exemplos
- Back then, the project was just a gleam in her eye.
- Twenty years ago, smartphones were just a gleam in designers’ eyes.
gleam of hope
1/ɡlˈim əv hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
A small sign of possible success
A small sign that something good might happen.
Exemplos
- The rescue team’s arrival gave them a gleam of hope.
- Even after the defeat, there was still a gleam of hope for victory.