What does glittered mean?
Glittered is the past tense and past participle of glitter, a verb describing the movement of bright, shifting points of light across a surface. It commonly appears in descriptions of jewelry, water, snow, decoration, or anything catching and reflecting sunlight: the lake glittered, the costume glittered with sequins, and the windows glittered in the afternoon light. The word can also be used figuratively to describe a person, place, or achievement that seems dazzlingly impressive, although this use may suggest luxury, spectacle, or superficial appeal. Because glitter emphasizes multiple small points of reflected light, it often conveys a sparkling, flickering effect rather than a steady, smooth shine. Glittered is standard in both British and American English and is especially common in descriptive writing, where its vivid imagery makes a scene or object feel luminous and visually striking.
verbGlittered is the past tense and past participle of glitter, meaning to shine with bright, shifting points of light or to sparkle with reflected light. It can also be used figuratively for a surface, place, or spectacle that appears dazzling or exceptionally attractive.
- To shine with bright, shifting points of light, especially as light reflects from a surface.
- To appear spectacular, luxurious, or attractive, especially through an abundance of detail, decoration, or brilliance.
"The river glittered under the morning sun."
"Her dress glittered with tiny crystals."
"The review glittered with praise for the film's innovative design."
The phrase “all that glitters is not gold” warns that a dazzling appearance can conceal something ordinary or deceptive.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glittered come from?
The word glitter comes through Middle English gliten from Old Norse glitra, a Germanic verb associated with shining or sparkling. Its English relatives include glint and glisten, while German glitzern is a close cognate in both sense and sound. Glittered is simply the regular past-tense and past-participle form of this inherited verb.
Related word forms
How glittered is actually used
Glittered is standard in both British and American English. It is normally the past tense or past participle of glitter; in figurative use, it often suggests conspicuous brilliance, luxury, or spectacle.
Easily confused with glittered
Glittered means to sparkle with scattered points of light, whereas glistered more often means to shine brightly from a smooth, reflective, or wet surface.