[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/gleam/)

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# gleam

verb (gleam, gleams, gleamed, gleaming); noun (a gleam, gleams)

«gleam» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To shine softly or brightly, often by reflecting light: «The polished car gleamed.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#m1)
2. (noun) A soft light or shine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#m2)
3. (noun) A small sign of a feeling or idea: «a gleam of hope», «a gleam in his eye». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#m3)

### In the lessons

Used in stories to describe shining things (swords, water, eyes, clean floors) and hope. «A gleam in his eye» often means a character has a clever or mischievous idea. In The Wind in the Willows the river gleams and sparkles in the sun.

### Examples

- The river gleamed in the morning sun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x1)
- Her eyes gleamed with excitement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x2)
- The kitchen floor was gleaming after we cleaned it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x3)
- A gleam of light shone under the door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x4)
- There was a gleam of hope at last. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x5)
- Toad had a naughty gleam in his eye. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x6)
- A falling star gleamed across the sky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb. Adjective: gleaming (gleaming white teeth). Similar: shine, glint (a quick small flash), glow (steady light without flame), glitter, sparkle.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «gleam» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/gleam/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«gleam» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/gleam.html) on Mova free.