shimmer

1 of 2

verb

shim·​mer ˈshi-mər 

shimmered; shimmering ˈshi-mə-riŋ 

ˈshim-riŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light : glimmer

2

: to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted visual image

transitive verb

: to cause to shimmer

shimmer

2 of 2

noun

1

: a light that shimmers : subdued sparkle or sheen : glimmer

2

: a wavering sometimes distorted visual image usually resulting from heat-induced changes in atmospheric refraction

shimmery

ˈshi-mə-rē 

ˈshim-rē

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• coruscate
• flame
• flash
• glance
• gleam
• glimmer
• glint
• glisten
• glister
• glitter
• luster
• lustre
• scintillate
• spangle
• sparkle
• twinkle
• wink
• winkle

Choose the Right Synonym for shimmer

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light.

flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

Examples of shimmer in a Sentence

Verb

The road shimmered in the heat.

a sequined dress shimmering under the studio lights

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What are the restaurants at Celestial Park at Epic Universe? Celestial Park has multiple eateries, giving guests different cuisines to choose from: Full Service Atlantic - Situated near a shimmering pool named for the Roman sea god Neptune, Atlantic specializes in surf and turf. —Samantha Neely, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. —Christopher Kimball, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025

Noun

What Inspired The Starlet Liquid Eyeshadow Collection? While the new launch includes eight shimmer shades and four mattes, the collection as a whole was ultimately influenced by the original’s viral, iridescent Fembot shade (which has crossed over to the latest launch). —Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Blame it on the residual shimmer of Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour. —Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English schimeren, from Old English scimerian; akin to Old English scīnan to shine — more at shine

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shimmer

• brimmer
• dimmer
• glimmer
• grimmer
• nimmer
• rimmer
• simmer
• skimmer
• slimmer
• swimmer
• timmer
• trimmer

Kids Definition

shimmer

verb

shim·​mer

ˈshim-ər

shimmered; shimmering

-(ə-)riŋ

: to shine with a wavering light : glimmer

shimmer noun