Gleam

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gleam

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

gleem  /ɡliːm/

Definition

As a noun: a faint or brief light; a small sign or trace of something (a gleam of hope). As a verb: to shine brightly, especially with reflected light; to appear or glow briefly.

Plain meaning

A gleam is a small bright light — a glint, a flash, a reflected shine. To gleam means to shine with a bright, steady, or reflected light. A gleam of hope is a small encouraging sign.

Register

Neutral to poetic. Gleam appears in everyday language but reaches its full evocative power in descriptive and literary writing. The figurative gleam of hope, gleam of intelligence in someone's eyes — is widely used and not considered overly literary.