ENGLISH
REFERENCE

glitter

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɫɪtɝ// UK //ɡlˈɪtɐ// glit·ter
  1. 1 decorative material (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    tiny, shiny pieces of plastic or metal used to make things look sparkly.

    a decorative material consisting of numerous tiny, reflective particles, typically applied with adhesive to surfaces.

    Example

    The children used gold glitter to decorate their handmade Christmas cards.

    Example

    The costume designer applied fine silver glitter to the fabric to ensure it would catch the stage lights during the opening number.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable when referring to the material in bulk.
  2. 2 sparkling light (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a bright, sparkling light that comes from a shiny surface.

    a bright, shimmering, or sparkling light reflected from a surface.

    Example

    She loved the glitter of the sun on the ocean waves.

    Example

    The sudden glitter of the diamond caught his eye even in the dimly lit hallway.
    • dullness
  3. 3 glamour or showiness (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    an exciting or attractive quality that seems fancy but might be shallow.

    superficial attractiveness or showy brilliance; often used to describe the shallow glamour of fame.

    Example

    Behind the glitter of the film industry, many actors work very hard.

    Example

    The young novelist was quickly disillusioned by the hollow glitter of the city's high-society parties.
  4. 4 to sparkle (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to shine with many small, bright flashes of light.

    to reflect light in small, brilliant flashes; to sparkle or gleam.

    Example

    The snow glittered under the bright winter sun.

    Example

    The city lights glittered like a thousand tiny jewels spread across the valley floor below the mountain pass.

    Usage

    An intransitive verb that does not take a direct object.
Origin

From Middle English gliteren, from Old Norse glitra, from Proto-Germanic glitrōną (“to glitter”), from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰley-.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 20, 2026