Word
shimmer
Phoneticsshim·mer, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈʃɪmɝ/
UK/ʃˈɪmɐ/
Definition
n. a soft, bright light that moves across a surface. You often see this when the sun reflects off water or when you look at a shiny object.
n. a soft, wavering light or a faint, sparkling appearance on a surface. Often describes the reflection of light on water or the visual effect of a polished or metallic surface.
Examples
“The sun created a beautiful shimmer on the lake.”
“The jeweler noticed a faint shimmer on the diamond when he held it up to the light.”
“As the sun began to set, a golden shimmer spread across the horizon, creating a magical atmosphere over the quiet bay.”
Examples
simple
“The sun created a beautiful shimmer on the lake.”
contextual
“The jeweler noticed a faint shimmer on the diamond when he held it up to the light.”
complex
“As the sun began to set, a golden shimmer spread across the horizon, creating a magical atmosphere over the quiet bay.”
Real-World Examples
“An open high end gave space to allow cymbals to shimmer and decay while avoiding any abrasiveness.” Etymology
From Middle English schimeren, from Old English sċymrian, sċimrian, sċimerian, from Proto-Germanic *skimarōną. Cognate with Dutch schemeren, German schimmern.
From shim + -er.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/shimmer