What does glancingly mean?
Glancingly means briefly or in passing, often as if taking a quick, sidelong look rather than giving full attention. In literal uses, it can describe the manner of a look: someone reads glancingly at a page or directs a fleeting glance toward a colleague. Figuratively, it describes superficial or cursory attention, as in glancingly examining an argument or mentioning a subject only briefly. The adverb is precise but relatively uncommon and has a literary or formal flavour; in everyday conversation, briefly, casually, or in passing may sound more natural. Its usefulness lies in showing that an action is quick, incomplete, and possibly lacking in focus. Glancingly can therefore describe both a quick physical look and a deliberately cursory approach to something, carrying the implication that the matter receives only a moment’s notice.
adverbIn a brief or incidental manner, typically with a quick look; without close or sustained attention.
- With a quick, brief, or sidelong look.
- Briefly or in passing, without close or sustained attention.
"She glancedly examined the letter before putting it back in the drawer."
"He glancedly at the figures before turning the page."
"The report was read glancingly rather than studied in detail."
One etymology traces its root through French to Latin glacies, “ice”—an unexpectedly frosty beginning for a word about quick looks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glancingly come from?
Glancingly is an English adverb formed from glance through the adjectival or participial form glancing and the adverbial suffix -ly. Glance entered Middle English in forms such as glancen and glaunch, borrowed from Anglo-French glantier and related to Old French glacis, meaning a corner or angle. Those French words have been connected with Latin glacies, “ice,” also the ultimate source of related words such as glacier and glaze. In modern English, glancingly retains the idea of doing something with a quick look while extending figuratively to brief or cursory attention.
Related word forms
How glancingly is actually used
Glancingly is relatively uncommon and has a somewhat literary or formal flavour. In everyday speech, briefly, casually, or in passing is often more natural.
Easily confused with glancingly
Glancing is an adjective or participle meaning quick or oblique, while glancingly is the adverb indicating that an action is done briefly or with a quick look.