English Reference

Word

glow

US/ˈɡɫoʊ/

UK/ɡlˈəʊ/

Definitions

01soft light

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a soft, steady light that comes from something hot or bright.

n. the steady emission of light from a source, often associated with heat or luminescence.

“The soft glow of the candles made the room feel very cozy.”

“The distant glow of the city lights was visible from the mountain top, reflecting off the low-hanging clouds.”

Antonyms

02healthy appearance

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a warm, healthy color in someone's face, often after exercise.

n. a reddish or pinkish flush of the skin, typically signifying health, exertion, or youth.

“She had a lovely pink glow in her cheeks after her morning walk.”

“The athlete maintained a healthy glow well after the race had concluded, a testament to her excellent physical conditioning.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

pallor

03feeling of happiness

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a strong feeling of pleasure or satisfaction.

n. an emotional state of warmth, satisfaction, or intense positive feeling.

“He felt a warm glow of pride when his daughter received her diploma.”

“A quiet glow of satisfaction settled over the team as they realized their months of hard work had finally paid off.”

04to produce soft light

B1 · Intermediate

v. to produce a steady, soft light without any flames.

v. to emit steady light and heat without a visible flame; to be incandescent.

“The coals in the fireplace were still glowing hours after the fire went out.”

“The dashboard instruments glowed faintly in the dark cabin, providing just enough light for the pilot to monitor the descent.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

05to look very happy

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to look very happy, excited, or healthy.

v. to exhibit a radiant appearance due to strong positive emotion or physical well-being.

“The bride was glowing with happiness as she walked down the aisle.”

“The expectant parents seemed to glow with anticipation as they shared the news with their extended family.”

Synonyms

Etymology

The verb is derived from Middle English glouen, glowen (“to give off heat and light without flame; of a thing: to be heated until red hot; to be brightly coloured; to shine brightly; (figurative) to be filled with emotion; of the face, etc.: to turn red, flush; etc.”), and then either: from Old English glōwan (“to glow”) (a strong verb), from Proto-West Germanic glōan (“to glow”); or because the Middle English and modern English words are weak verbs, possibly from Old Norse glówa, thought to be a variant of glóa (“to glow”), also a weak verb; both from Proto-Germanic glōaną (“to glow”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰleh₁- (“to shine, glow; to be shining, glowing”). Possibly a doublet of glass. The noun is derived from the verb. cognates * Dutch gloeien * Finnish loistaa * German glühen * Norwegian glo * Old Norse glóa (Danish glo, Icelandic glóa, Swedish glo) * Saterland Frisian gloie, glöie, gluuje * West Frisian gloeie

From Late Middle English glouen (“to gaze, stare”); further etymology uncertain, possibly either: * from glouen, glowen (“to give off heat and light without flame; of a thing: to be heated until red hot; to be brightly coloured; to shine brightly; (figurative) to be filled with emotion; of the face, etc.: to turn red, flush; etc.”); or * from Old Norse glóa (“to shine”) (whence Norwegian Nynorsk glo (“to stare”) and Swedish glo (“to stare”)). See further at etymology 1.

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

Word family

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

This entry

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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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