Gleaming
adjective /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/ — Shining brightly — a clean, vigorous brightness that catches the eye.
Definition
Shining brightly, especially with reflected light; vividly bright and clean-looking; bright and clean as if polished.
Beyond the definition
Gleaming has the quality of active shine — it suggests the light is catching off something that is also clean and new. The gleaming surface has been maintained. It differs from glittering (which scatters light) or glowing (which generates it) — gleaming reflects.
Origin & history
From Old English glæman — to gleam (from Proto-Germanic *glaimijaną). The catching of reflected light — named for the effect it creates.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The tiles were gleaming after an hour's cleaning — a brightness achieved.
The gleaming city from above: all the surfaces returning the morning sun.
There was something hopeful in the gleaming facade — it hadn't given up on presentation.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Gleaming” when the meaning fits your context: Shining brightly, especially with reflected light; vividly bright and clean-looking; bright and clean as if polished.
Synonyms
Antonyms
dull, matte, tarnished
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Clean Steel Kitchen Station
A chef works at a stainless steel prep station, with the bright, polished surfaces reflecting the clear kitchen light.
The stainless steel surfaces are gleaming, showing a clean, polished finish that reflects light. The bright, industrial setting highlights the efficient, clean look of equipment that appears as if it has been meticulously polished to a high, reflective shine.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Gleaming" mean?
Gleaming is adjective meaning: Shining brightly — a clean, vigorous brightness that catches the eye.. Shining brightly, especially with reflected light; vividly bright and clean-looking; bright and clean as if polished.
Where does the word "Gleaming" come from?
From Old English glæman — to gleam (from Proto-Germanic *glaimijaną). The catching of reflected light — named for the effect it creates.