SHIMMER definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary (2025)

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shimmer shimmer in British English shimmer in American English shimmer in American English Examples of 'shimmer' in a sentence COBUILD Collocations

COBUILD frequency band

shimmer

(ʃɪməʳ )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense shimmers , present participle shimmering , past tense, past participle shimmered

verb

If something shimmers, it shines with a faint, unsteady light or has an unclear, unsteady appearance.

The lights shimmered on the water. [VERB]

The trees shimmered in the afternoon heat. [VERB]

Synonyms: gleam, twinkle, glimmer, dance More Synonyms of shimmer

Shimmer is also a noun.

...a shimmer of starlight. [+ of]

More Synonyms of shimmer

shimmer in British English

(ˈʃɪmə )

verb

1.(intransitive)

to shine with a glistening or tremulous light

noun

a faint, glistening, or tremulous light

Derived forms

shimmering (ˈshimmering)

adjective

shimmeringly (ˈshimmeringly)

adverb

Word origin

Old English scimerian; related to Middle Low German schēmeren to grow dark, Old Norse skimi brightness

COBUILD frequency band

shimmer in American English

(ˈʃɪmər )

verb intransitive

to shine with an unsteady light; glimmer

to form a wavering image, as by reflection from waves of water or heat

noun

a shimmering light; glimmer

SIMILAR WORDS: flash

Derived forms

shimmery (ˈshimmery)

adjective

Word origin

ME schimeren < OE scymrian, freq. formation on base of scima, ray, light < IE base *skāi- > shine

COBUILD frequency band

shimmer in American English

(ˈʃɪmər)

intransitive verb

to shine with or reflect a subdued, tremulous light; gleam faintly

to appear to quiver or vibrate in faint light or while reflecting heat waves

noun

a subdued, tremulous light or gleam

a quivering or vibrating motion or image as produced by reflecting faint light or heat waves

SYNONYMS 1. glimmer. See glisten.

Derived forms

shimmeringly

adverb

Word origin

[bef. 1100; ME schimeren, s(c)hemeren, OE scimrian; c. D schemeren, G schimmern to glisten]

Examples of 'shimmer' in a sentence

shimmer

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This creamy texture gives just enough shimmer to keep things polished.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

Your mind is suffused by a shimmering golden light.

Times, Sunday Times (2008)

You feel the shimmering heat of the oil.

Times, Sunday Times (2016)

The light citrus scent is gorgeous and it also contains a subtle gold shimmer.

The Sun (2013)

The whole point of metallic plants is that they should dazzle, shimmer and shine in the garden.

Times, Sunday Times (2009)

The eyes are the main focus, so shimmer and shine on the rest of the face should be minimal.

Times, Sunday Times (2008)

If you are wary of using glitter, a wash shimmer will give you the same effect without looking too showy.

Times, Sunday Times (2010)

The surface does shine and shimmer, but there's also real depth in the songs.

Times, Sunday Times (2011)

The walkways are made from 220,000 foam cubes wrapped in 100,000 square metres of shimmering gold fabric.

Times, Sunday Times (2016)

Some of them are like precious gems, shimmering as the light catches them, as enticing as soft crushed velvet.

Times, Sunday Times (2012)

COBUILD Collocations

shimmer

subtle shimmer