noun

glimpse

a glimpse, a brief look, (verb) to glimpse

I caught a glimpse of the singer.

I caught a glimpse of the singer.

He glimpsed a figure in the distance.

He glimpsed a figure in the distance.

to catch a glimpse of ((sb./sth.)) to see (sb./sth.) for a very short time We caught a glimpse of the sea.

((sb./sth.)) to see (sb./sth.) for a very short time She glimpsed his face in the crowd.

Synonyms: (noun) glance, peek; (verb) spot, catch sight of.

Related to Middle English 'glimsen' and Old English 'glimian' (to glimmer). The idea is a quick flash of sight, like a glimmer of light.

A GLIMPSE is a quick look, like seeing a flash or a GLIMmer.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.