glimpse

1 of 2

verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

transitive verb

: to get a brief look at

glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

intransitive verb

1

: to look briefly

glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside

2

archaic : glimmer

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2

noun

1

: a fleeting view or look

caught only a glimpse of the mugger

2

archaic : glimmer

Synonyms of glimpse

Verb

• peek
• glance

Noun

• glance
• peek
• look

Examples of glimpse in a Sentence

Verb

We glimpsed him through the window as his car sped past.

just glimpsed at the photo then turned his attention elsewhere

Noun

We caught a glimpse of him through the window as his car sped past.

I only got a glimpse of him as we drove by.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Asia travelers might get a sense of déjà vu upon first glimpsing Prambanan, Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple site. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

As befits the only child of such deities, the young Paweł, glimpsed in a series of snapshots, is all smiles. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

My interaction with the staff on all levels felt more like an insight into Mexican culture and hospitality and less a glimpse of how Hilton runs, which is likely the company’s intention. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The episode concludes with some glimpses into Aesha and Scott’s wedding — viva! — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English glimsen; akin to Middle High German glimsen to glimmer, Old English glǣm gleam

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Noun

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for glimpse

• chimps
• limps
• pimps
• shrimps

Kids Definition

glimpse

1 of 2 verb

ˈglim(p)s 

glimpsed; glimpsing

: to take a brief look : see momentarily or incompletely

glimpsed the deer running

glimpser noun

glimpse

2 of 2 noun

: a short hurried view

catch a glimpse of something rushing by