glow

1 of 2

verb

ˈglō How to pronounce glow (audio)
glowed; glowing; glows
Synonyms of glownext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to shine with or as if with an intense heat
embers glowing in the darkness
b(1)
: to have a rich warm typically ruddy color
cheeks glowing with health
(2)
: flush, blush
the children glowed with excitement
2
a
: to experience a sensation of or as if of heat
glowing with rage
b
: to show exuberance or elation
glow with pride

glow

2 of 2

noun

1
: brightness or warmth of color
especially : redness
2
a
: warmth of feeling or emotion
b
: a sensation of warmth
the drug produces a sustained glow
3
a
: the state of glowing with heat and light
b
: light such as is emitted by a solid body heated to luminosity : incandescence

Synonyms

Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of glow in a Sentence

Verb The coals glowed in the fireplace. The fireplace glowed with the dying coals. This toy glows in the dark.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Smoke blew around the crater with weak to moderate pressure and firelight was seen at the peak, indicating that the glowing volcanic material was at a shallow depth. — arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Everything about this adaptation is radiant — from Cinderella’s glowing blue ballgown to the heartrending relationship between the Prince (a dashing Richard Madden) and his aging father (Branagh favorite Derek Jacobi). — Staff Author, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
Working with Anomalisa cinematographer Joe Passarelli, Johnson casts Paul’s experiences in a beguiling and ephemeral glow. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025 Her dewy glow didn’t just come from the tears shed after her win, but from the careful skin prep that laid the foundation. — Tiana Randall, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glow

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English glōwan; akin to Old English geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glow was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing glow

Rhymes for glow

See All Rhymes for glow

Browse Nearby Words

glove sponge
glow
glow discharge
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glow. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

glow

1 of 2 verb
ˈglō How to pronounce glow (audio)
1
: to shine with or as if with great heat : give off light without flame
glowing coals
2
: to have a rich warm usually reddish color
3
: to be or look warm and flushed (as from excitement)
glow with pride

glow

2 of 2 noun
1
: brightness or warmth of color
a rosy glow of health
2
a
: warmth of feeling
b
: a feeling of physical warmth
3
: light such as that given off by something that is very hot but not flaming

More from Merriam-Webster on glow

Nglish: Translation of glow for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All