ENGLISH
REFERENCE

glow

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɫoʊ// UK //ɡlˈəʊ// glow
  1. 1 soft light (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The distant glow of the city lights was visible from the mountain top, reflecting off the low-hanging clouds.
  2. 2 healthy appearance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The athlete maintained a healthy glow well after the race had concluded, a testament to her excellent physical conditioning.
    • pallor
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  1. 3 feeling of happiness (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a strong feeling of pleasure or satisfaction.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    A quiet glow of satisfaction settled over the team as they realized their months of hard work had finally paid off.
  2. 4 to produce soft light (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to produce a steady, soft light without any flames.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The dashboard instruments glowed faintly in the dark cabin, providing just enough light for the pilot to monitor the descent.
  3. 5 to look very happy (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to look very happy, excited, or healthy.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The expectant parents seemed to glow with anticipation as they shared the news with their extended family.
Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

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.

Word family

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