# glancing

/ˈɡɫænsɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡlˈɑːnsɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/glancing
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

hitting something at an angle and then moving away, rather than hitting it directly. It describes a touch or blow that is not very strong because it slides off the surface.

For teachers: striking a surface at an oblique angle rather than head-on, resulting in a deflection. Often describes physical contact or light that hits a surface and bounces off to the side.

## Examples

- The car escaped with only a glancing blow to the bumper.
- The cyclist was lucky to suffer only a glancing hit from the opening car door instead of a direct collision.
- The sunlight hit the polished marble at a glancing angle, creating a long streak of reflected light that illuminated the far corner of the otherwise dim hallway.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before nouns like 'blow', 'hit', or 'shot'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.