# glimpse

/ˈɡɫɪmps/ (US) · /ɡlˈɪmps/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/glimpse
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a brief look

noun · CEFR B2

a quick look at something that you do not see clearly or fully.

For teachers: a brief and often incomplete view of something. Usually followed by the preposition 'of'.

- I caught a glimpse of the famous actor as he ran into the hotel.
- Through the dense morning fog, the hikers caught a fleeting glimpse of the mountain peak before it was obscured once more.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'catch a glimpse of'.

### 2. a brief understanding

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a short or small look into a complicated idea or situation.

For teachers: a momentary or partial perception of an intangible concept or situation.

- The documentary gives us a glimpse into the daily lives of deep-sea divers.
- The leaked documents provided a fascinating glimpse into the internal power struggles of the administration during the crisis.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'into'.

### 3. to see briefly

verb · CEFR B2

to see something for a very short time.

For teachers: to see or perceive someone or something briefly and incompletely. Transitive — takes a direct object.

- She glimpsed a bright red bird flying through the trees.
- As the train sped past the station, he glimpsed his old friend standing on the platform among the commuters.

Usage: In the active voice, the object follows the verb directly without a preposition.

## Examples

- I caught a glimpse of the ocean through the trees.
- The crowd waited for hours just to get a glimpse of the famous actor as he entered the theater.
- The diary provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary people during the industrial revolution, revealing details that official histories often overlook.

---

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.