glint
glint
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word glint is /glɪnt/.
🎵 Syllable Breakdown
The word glint has one syllable.
/g/: Voiced velar plosive (the 'g' sound)
/l/: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant (the 'l' sound)
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (the short 'i' sound)
/n/: Voiced alveolar nasal (the 'n' sound)
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive (the 't' sound)
Word Form Variations
The term glint functions as both a noun and a verb.
Verb Forms (glint)
Base/Simple Present (except 3rd person singular): glint
Third Person Singular Simple Present: glints
Past Simple: glinted
Past Participle: glinted
Present Participle/Gerund: glinting
Noun Forms (glint)
Singular: glint
Plural: glints
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A glint is a brief, quick flash or gleam of light. It can also refer to a sudden, quick indication or expression of emotion, typically in the eyes.
Synonyms: Flash, gleam, sparkle, shimmer, twinkle (light); spark, hint, trace, suggestion (emotion)
Antonyms: Darkness, dullness, shadow, obscurity (light); absence, blankness, vacancy (emotion)
Verb
To glint means to shine by reflecting small, momentary flashes of light. It can also mean to appear briefly and vividly as an expression of feeling, often concerning the eyes.
Synonyms: Flash, gleam, shimmer, sparkle, twinkle, glitter (light); show, reflect, reveal, hint (emotion)
Antonyms: Darken, dull, fade, obscure, cloud (light/emotion)
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples of how the word glint is used in various contexts, including literature, news, and entertainment.
Books and Literature
Noun Use (Light): "In the dark tunnel, she could just make out the glint of steel in his hand." (from The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, 2001)
Verb Use (Light): "The brass telescope would occasionally glint in the sun." (from Longitude by Dava Sobel, 1995)
Noun Use (Emotion): "There was a glint of triumph in his eyes as the opponent faltered."
News and Online Publications
Noun Use (Description): "The journalist noted a faint glint of gold among the ancient artifacts recovered from the shipwreck." (related reporting on historical finds, various news sources, 2024)
Verb Use (Light): "The rescue beacon glinted off the dark waves, guiding the helicopter to the stranded vessel." (reporting on search and rescue operations, various news sources, 2023)
Noun Use (Attitude): "Despite the economic forecast, a glint of optimism was apparent in the CEO's remarks on future growth." (business analysis, various publications, 2024)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film/Television (Verb Use): A character might say, "I saw the killer's knife glint right before they lunged." (dialogue often used in crime thrillers)
Music (Lyric Use): "A silver earring catches the light, a hopeful glint in the night." (lyrics often found in popular music)
Video Games (Noun Use): In game descriptions, you might read: "Search the abandoned mine for the subtle glint that indicates a hidden gem." (in-game text/tutorials)
General Public Discourse
General Observation (Verb Use): "The newly polished car chrome really glints when the sun hits it just right." (everyday conversation about appearance)
Figurative Use (Noun Use): "When he started talking about his latest business idea, you could see a real entrepreneurial glint in his eye." (informal conversation about ambition or ideas)
10 Famous Quotes Using Glint
“Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” (Anton Chekhov)
“A light like the glint of water on dewy grass flashed from under her feet as she danced.” (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)
“If light made a noise as it reflected off a distant window, it’d go glint!” (Terry Pratchett, Wintersmith)
"Her eyes greenish and remote, with a rich glint of... amusement.” (Evelyn Waugh, The Loved One)
"The witch’s eyes glint with an ominous mixture of the green and black and purple the sky turns before a tornado." (Connor Garrett)
“There's a glint in her eye that she gets the week before Chinese New Year, when she goes absolutely berserk and cleans the house like Marie Kondo on crack.” (Jesse Q. Sutanto, Dial A for Aunties)
"Night never needs a shade, but it requires to fade, into the grin of twinkling stars, where light is just a glint of scars." (Munia Khan)
"Aphros nodded, a glint of pride in his eyes." (Rick Riordan, The Son of Neptune)
"When words remain unspoken and emotions are left unexpressed, just a glint in the eyes from otherness can inflame the mind and rouse a shower of empathy." (Erik Pevernagie)
"I noticed his glossy tunic too, clinging to his skin, like the thin glistening skin of a dried onion, silky, soft, the glint of the sun itself." (Homer, The Odyssey)
Etymology
The word glint is quite young in the English language, first appearing as a verb around the early 17th century (the 1600s).
It likely developed as a variation or blend of two older Germanic words that already existed in English:
"Gleam": Meaning "a faint or transient light" (Old English glǣm).
"Glitter": Meaning "to shine with a sparkling light" (Middle English gliteren).
The formation of glint is an example of what linguists call sound symbolism or phonaesthesia, where the combination of the sounds (gl- often relates to light, like glow, glare, gleam, and glimmer, and -nt suggests a quick, sharp action, similar to flint or print) suggests the meaning.
First Known Use and Meaning
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: The earliest recorded use was in the sense of "to flash or gleam suddenly and intermittently" or "to shine brightly for a moment."
In simple terms, "glint" was coined to specifically capture the feeling of a brief, sharp, or quick flash of light, distinguishing it from the sustained shine of gleam or the continuous sparkle of glitter.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Glint
Because the word glint is generally used descriptively rather than figuratively, it does not feature in many widely recognized, fixed idioms. However, it is commonly used in various standard phrases to describe a sudden flash of light or emotion.
Common Descriptive Phrases
These phrases are widely used in writing and speech to describe a momentary flash:
A glint of steel: Refers to the flash of a weapon or sharp metal object.
A glint of light/sun/gold: Describes a brief, sharp reflection.
A glint in one's eye: Used to describe a quick, sudden expression of an emotion or intention (often mischief, humor, or malice).
To glint menacingly: Used to describe something (like an object or eyes) that flashes light in a threatening way.
Lesser-Known and Original Phrases
These phrases use glint figuratively or are constructed to be evocative:
The glint of opportunity: Refers to a momentary sign or appearance of a chance.
Catch the glint: To notice or detect the quick flash of something.
Not a glint of hope: Emphasizes a complete absence of optimism or positive sign.
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect
These commonly recognized idioms use synonyms like gleam or sparkle to convey a similar sense of sudden, visible expression:
To put a gleam in one's eye: To make someone eager or enthusiastic.
A spark of genius: A sudden, brilliant idea or realization.
To make something sparkle: To make something bright, interesting, or lively.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of glint from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
