What does aglitter mean?
Aglitter means sparkling or flashing with light, typically describing a scene covered in many small points of reflected brightness. It is formed from the prefix 'a-' attached to the verb 'glitter', a construction English uses to create adjectives from verbs, much like 'aglow' or 'ashine'. The word is used almost exclusively predicatively: one says 'the harbor was aglitter with lights' rather than placing it before the noun. Its connotations are festive and romantic — it suits descriptions of jewelry, water, cityscapes at night, and eyes bright with excitement. Though not common in casual conversation, aglitter is a favorite of descriptive writers because it conveys vivid visual brilliance in a single economical word, evoking the shimmer of countless tiny reflections rather than one steady glow.
Sparkling or flashing with light; glittering.
"The Christmas tree stood aglitter with tinsel and glass ornaments."
Almost always predicative; attributive use ('an aglitter gown') is rare and stylistically awkward.
In a glittering manner; so as to sparkle with light.
"The sequins caught the stage lights and shone aglitter."
Aglitter is one of those rare English words built entirely from 'a-' plus another word — a prefix trick that turns the verb 'glitter' into a ready-made adjective.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aglitter
Aglitter derives from the Middle English verb 'glitteren', which itself comes from Old Norse 'glitra', meaning to shine or sparkle. The adjective is formed by adding the prefix 'a-', a common English device for converting verbs into predicative adjectives, as seen in related forms such as 'aglow' and 'ashine'. It shares its Germanic root with kindred shining words including 'glint', 'glisten', and 'gleam'. The word has been in literary use since at least the nineteenth century.
How aglitter is actually used
Aglitter is almost always used predicatively — after the noun it describes ('the street was aglitter') rather than before it ('an aglitter street' sounds awkward to most readers). It carries a festive, romantic connotation and appears mostly in literary and descriptive prose rather than everyday speech.
Easily confused with aglitter
Glitter is the noun/verb denoting the sparkle itself or tiny reflective particles, while aglitter is an adjective describing something as being covered in or full of that sparkle.
Aglow describes a soft, warm radiance, whereas aglitter describes bright, flashing points of reflected light.