glimpse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'glimpse' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a brief or fleeting look, or a brief understanding or experience. Example sentence: Through the window, she caught a brief glimpse of the sunset.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the second or third generation want to pursue art claims, as opposed to other financial assets, because it gives them a key to the taste of their grandparents and a glimpse of how their lives were before the Nazis".

The Guardian - Arts

But they don't hang around behind the barricades at the show waiting for a glimpse.

The Guardian

As the van slows down beside a crowd of people, I glimpse a bloodied body in the dusty street.

The Guardian - Travel

The documents provide a glimpse of what their life was like.

The Guardian

Down below the hotel, horse riders pass by along the beach in the early morning, and you may even catch a glimpse of the local seals.

The Guardian - Travel

In a city full of light, where you barely have to crane your neck to glimpse the sky, a third-storey pop-up feels like an affront.

The Guardian

This tweak to the script, he said, halved the number of don't knows and allowed Labour to acquire an early glimpse of the true grisly picture confronting it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You could glimpse a wonderful revolution, that spark of the dream of people being together.

The Guardian - Film

He dismembered myths, caught erstwhile authorities with their factual trousers down, gave a glimpse of a community history lived not apart from trees but with them.

The Guardian - Books

It must have been an extraordinary experience to get a glimpse of such a secret secret world but one which is arguably more vital than ever right now".

The Guardian

My heart leaps indecently when I glimpse a rockery in a front garden, a burst of cherry blossom, a mock-Tudor semidetached frontage, or any suggestion of individual fantasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glimpse" to convey a fleeting or incomplete view, whether physical or conceptual. For example, instead of saying 'I saw the car', you might say 'I caught a glimpse of the car' to emphasize the brevity of the sighting.

Common error

Avoid using "glimpse" when you intend to convey a thorough or detailed observation. "Glimpse" implies a brief and often incomplete look; using it to describe something you examined carefully would be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "glimpse" is as both a noun referring to a brief look and a verb meaning to see briefly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is frequently employed to portray a transient or incomplete viewing experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glimpse" functions as both a noun and a verb to describe a brief or partial view, physically or conceptually. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common use, particularly within news and media. When writing, use "glimpse" to indicate a fleeting observation, distinguishing it from more comprehensive views. While adaptable to various contexts, be sure to avoid misusing "glimpse" in instances where a thorough examination is implied. As demonstrated by the real world examples from Ludwig, its capacity to denote transience makes it a valuable asset in descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting look

Focuses on the brevity and transience of the visual experience.

brief view

Highlights the conciseness of the observation.

quick glance

Emphasizes the speed and lack of prolonged attention.

cursory look

Suggests a lack of thoroughness in the examination.

passing sight

Implies the visual event is temporary and quickly gone.

brief insight

Shifts the focus to understanding rather than visual perception, but maintains the brevity.

fleeting impression

Emphasizes the short-lived nature of the impact or perception.

partial view

Indicates that only a portion of something is visible or understood.

fragmentary look

Highlights the incomplete or broken nature of the visual experience.

hint of

Suggests a slight or indirect indication of something.

FAQs

How can I use "glimpse" in a sentence?

"Glimpse" can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to a brief look. For example: "I caught a glimpse of the celebrity." As a verb, it means to see briefly. For example: "I glimpsed the mountains through the clouds."

What can I say instead of "glimpse"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting look", "brief view", or "quick glance" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "glimpse" and "stare"?

"Glimpse" implies a quick, often unintentional look, while "stare" suggests a prolonged and intentional gaze. A "glimpse" is fleeting, but a stare is sustained.

Is it correct to use "glimpse" to describe understanding?

Yes, "glimpse" can be used metaphorically to describe a brief or incomplete understanding. For instance, "I caught a glimpse of the truth" means you gained a partial or momentary understanding of the truth.