shimmer

1 of 2

verb

shim·​mer ˈshi-mər How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
shimmered; shimmering ˈshi-mə-riŋ How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
ˈshim-riŋ
Synonyms of shimmer

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 How to pronounce shimmer (audio)
ˈshim-rē
adjective

Synonyms of shimmer

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Built around shimmering guitars and an unexpectedly propulsive rhythmic backbone, the track balances DIIV’s familiar haze with an anthemic immediacy. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026 Under the warm backstage lighting, the gown took on a deeper, golden hue, showcasing the shimmering fabric and metallic undertones. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
The shimmers are designed to be worn on their own or with the solid shadows. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 While the pattern does include shades of pink, blue, and green, the dress most notably shimmers in various shades of yellow. — Katharina Fuchs, Vogue, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for shimmer

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shimmer was before the 12th century

Rhymes for shimmer

See All Rhymes for shimmer

Browse Nearby Words

Shimla
shimmer
shimmery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shimmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shimmer. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shimmer

verb
shim·​mer
ˈshim-ər
shimmered; shimmering
-(ə-)riŋ
: to shine with a wavering light : glimmer
shimmer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on shimmer

Nglish: Translation of shimmer for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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