- a brief or incomplete view: to catch a glimpse of the sea
- a vague indication
- archaic a glimmer of light
- (transitive) to catch sight of briefly or momentarily
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
glimpse /glɪmps/USA pronunciation
n., v., glimpsed, glimps•ing.
n. [countable]
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026n. [countable]
- a very brief passing look, sight, or view:caught only a quick glimpse of the gunmen.
- a vague or incomplete idea;
inkling:had experienced a few glimpses of his bad temper.
v. [~ + object]
- to look briefly at:barely glimpsed the thief.
glimpse
(glimps),USA pronunciation n., v., glimpsed, glimps•ing.
n.
v.t.
v.i.
glimps′er, n.
n.
- a very brief, passing look, sight, or view.
- a momentary or slight appearance.
- a vague idea;
inkling. - [Archaic.]a gleam, as of light.
v.t.
- to catch or take a glimpse of.
v.i.
- to look briefly;
glance (usually fol. by at). - [Archaic.]to come into view;
appear faintly.
- 1350–1400; Middle English glimsen (verb, verbal); cognate with Middle High German glimsen to glow; akin to glimmer
- 5. spot, spy, view, sight, espy.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
glimpse /ɡlɪmps/ n
Glimpse is sometimes wrongly used where glance is meant: he gave a quick glance (not glimpse) at his watch
'glimpse' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):