english
1
general::
to shine by reflecting light
sparkle/glitter
if something sparkles, it shines with many small bright points when light is on it:
• The sea sparkled in the sunlight. • Jewels glittered around her neck.
gleam
to shine by reflecting the light – used especially about smooth clean surfaces, or about someone’s eyes or teeth:
• The sword’s blade gleamed. • a gleaming sports car • His blue eyes gleamed with amusement.
glint
to shine with quick flashes of light:
• The knife glinted in the sunlight.
glisten
literary to shine – used about wet or oily surfaces. Used especially when saying that someone’s eyes are full of tears, or someone’s skin is covered in sweat:
• As they were leaving, her eyes glistened with tears. • His forehead was glistening with sweat. • The wet chairs glistened in the afternoon sun.
catch the light
if something catches the light, it shines because it is reflecting light:
• Her diamond ring caught the light.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
verb
twinkled:
The lights sparkled in the night.
Simple Definitions
3
general::
noun ADJ. extra | old She has lost none of her old sparkle as a jazz singer. VERB + SPARKLE have | lack | lose | add, put (back) A live band added extra sparkle to the occasion. PHRASES a sparkle in your eyes
Oxford Collocations Dictionary