shimmer

Everyday

1. To shimmer is to shine with a soft light that seems to move or shake a little, like light on water. tree →
2. A shimmer is a soft, wavering shine. tree →
3. In very hot weather, the air above a road can seem to shimmer. tree →

In the lessons

Stories and poetry: writers use «shimmer» to make a scene look magical or calm (shimmering lake, shimmering dress). Science: hot air bends light, so a road seems to shimmer or show a mirage. Phrases: «shimmer of hope» (a small bit of hope).

Examples

• The lake shimmered in the moonlight. tree →
• Her dress shimmered when she danced. tree →
• The road shimmered in the summer heat. tree →
• A shimmer of gold caught my eye in the sand. tree →
• Fish scales shimmer under water. tree →
• There was a shimmer of hope in his eyes. tree →
• The fairy's wings shimmered like glass. tree →

Note

Spelling: double m: shimmer, shimmered, shimmering. Similar words: glimmer (faint light), glitter (sparkle in small flashes), gleam. Shimmer is softer and wavier than sparkle.

In Jewish tradition

In the Psalms it describes the gleam of gold on a dove's wings, a picture of beauty after victory. In the primary lessons: Stories and poetry: writers use «shimmer» to make a scene look magical or calm (shimmering lake, shimmering dress). Science: hot air bends light, so a road seems to shimmer or show a mirage. Phrases: «shimmer of hope» (a small bit of hope).

Examples

• When ye lie among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her pinions with the shimmer of gold. (Writings PSA.68.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: double m: shimmer, shimmered, shimmering. Similar words: glimmer (faint light), glitter (sparkle in small flashes), gleam. Shimmer is softer and wavier than sparkle.