What does glittery mean?
Glittery is an adjective meaning that something shines or sparkles, often because light is reflecting from many small points on its surface. It can describe water, metal, fabric, eyes, jewelry, or a landscape whose surfaces catch the light. The word is usually neutral to appreciative when used literally, as in “a glittery stream” or “a glittery dress,” but it can have a more critical figurative sense when it describes something conspicuously glamorous, luxurious, or showy. In that use, glittery may imply that outward brilliance conceals a lack of substance. It is common in both British and American English and functions as a normal descriptive adjective, with comparative and superlative forms such as glitterier and glitteriest and the adverb glitterily.
adjectiveShining or sparkling, especially with reflected light. In figurative use, it can describe something dazzlingly attractive or suggestive of conspicuous glamour.
- Shining or sparkling, especially with reflected light.
- Dazzlingly attractive or conspicuous in a way associated with glamour and display.
"The lake was glittery under the afternoon sun."
"The lake was glittery under the afternoon sun."
"She wore a glittery silver dress to the celebration."
Glittery captures the brief, dazzling moment when a surface seems to scatter light in every direction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does glittery come from?
Glittery is an English formation from glitter plus the suffix -y. Glitter comes from Old English gliten, meaning “to shine” or “sparkle,” and is related to glisten and glint, which share a Germanic association with shining light. The suffix -y forms an adjective describing a sparkling or glittering quality.
Related word forms
How glittery is actually used
Glittery is neutral to slightly admiring in literal descriptions. In figurative contexts, especially when describing wealth, fashion, or success, it can suggest conspicuous display or superficial glamour.
Easily confused with glittery
Glitter is usually a noun or verb referring to sparkling light or its quality, whereas glittery is an adjective describing something that sparkles or appears dazzlingly attractive.