Word
glare
US/ˈɡɫɛɹ/
UK/ɡlˈeə/
Definitions
01blinding light
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a very strong, bright light that hurts your eyes and makes it difficult to see.
n. an intense, dazzling light that causes visual discomfort or reduces visibility.
“The glare from the sun on the wet road made it hard to drive.”
“The morning glare reflecting off the glass skyscrapers forced pedestrians to squint as they navigated the financial district.”
Synonyms
02angry look
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a long, angry look at someone.
n. a fierce or piercing look of hostility or disapproval.
“She gave him a cold glare after he interrupted her for the third time.”
“The librarian met the noisy students with a sharp glare that immediately silenced their conversation.”
Real-World Examples
“Under the orange glare of streetlights, I changed my trainers for a pair of dirty wellies.” Etymology
From Middle English glaren, from Old English glærian, from Proto-West Germanic glarōn. Cognate with dialectal Middle Dutch glariën (“to glisten; sparkle”), Low German glaren (“to shine brightly; glow; burn”), Middle High German glaren (“to shine brightly”). Related to glower, glass.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/glare