glow

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'glow' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a soft light that is seen around something. For example, "The newly-risen sun gave the sky a faint glow in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sport

Lifestyle

Travel

Opinion

Tech

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Smyth scandal and the disclosure that the authorities were complicit in the cover-up led to the collapse of the Fianna Fáil-Labour government, which at the time was basking in the glow of helping to secure the IRA's 1994 ceasefire.

The Guardian

The choice of one window upstairs, rather than two, gives a cottagey feel – and may well bring the same warm glow of picturesque pleasure that you get from watching a Hovis ad.

The Guardian - Arts

A glowing green disc hovers high in the sky at night, casting an eerie glow over a forest of minarets, cranes and concrete frames that seem to stretch endlessly into the dusty distance, like a vast field of dominoes.

The Guardian - Arts

Both in Eindhoven's new initiative and in the cities working with Tvilight, the street lights provide a small glow to empty streets, giving residents the feeling that the street is fully illuminated, while in reality the lights only turn on fully as a person approaches.

The Guardian

In his live performances he is a master of that kind of conviction: his most recent show, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, a staging of his latest album Swanlights, saw him bathed in the green glow of lasers, accompanied by a 60-piece orchestra while keening rapturously about a vision of "being dead, underwater and filled with crystals of light".

The Guardian - Music

Sharen arrived home to find an orange glow breathing deep beneath the slats in the deck.

The Guardian

Sometimes absence becomes a player like nothing else, and Andrew Strauss already has a post-retirement glow about him.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite their dangers – which are many – no one could deny that the works of Bob Dylan, the Beatles or Syd Barrett, and countless others, have been enhanced by the electric glow of the psychedelic experience.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"You either glow if they are doing well, or kick chairs if they are not.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is," says Milach, "an unreal glow to the place, but it is like a coat of bright paint that hides old bricks.

The Guardian - Arts

Its glow dimmed soon after it was announced, perhaps because opinion polls - which in those far-off days, people believed - suggested it wasn't popular with voters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "glow" to describe a soft, diffused light emanating from an object or surface, or metaphorically to convey warmth, happiness, or health. For instance, "The city lights cast a warm glow" or "She had a radiant glow about her after the good news".

Common error

While "glow" is appropriate for describing literal light or metaphorical warmth, it can sound informal in highly technical or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "luminescence", "irradiance", or "radiance" when describing scientific phenomena or formal analyses.

Linguistic Context

The word "glow" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a soft, diffused light or a feeling of warmth. As a verb, it describes the act of emitting such light or radiating a feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Tech

8%

Travel

7%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "glow" is a versatile word functioning as both a noun and a verb, commonly used to describe soft, diffused light or to convey feelings of warmth and happiness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, although it may be more appropriate to use more formal or precise terms in technical or academic settings. Examples found by Ludwig demonstrate its prevalence in news, arts, and lifestyle publications, indicating a neutral to slightly informal register. While very common, be mindful of the specific context to choose the most appropriate word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beam softly

Highlights a gentle, steady projection of light, resembling a subtle "glow".

radiate light

Focuses on the act of emitting light, similar to how "glow" describes a soft, diffused light.

shine steadily

Focuses on the constant and stable aspect of light emission, akin to a lasting "glow".

give off a gleam

Stresses a brief or reflected light, which can also be associated with a "glow".

emit a shimmer

Emphasizes a gentle, wavering light, which captures the subtle visual quality of a "glow".

display a luminescence

Focuses on light emitted without heat, capturing a specific type of "glow".

exude warmth

Shifts the focus to the emotional or atmospheric quality of warmth, analogous to the figurative sense of "glow".

possess a radiance

Highlights the bright, attractive quality of light, similar to the positive connotation of a "glow".

reflect a sheen

Emphasizes the reflective quality of a surface, similar to how a "glow" can highlight features.

show a vibrant hue

Concentrates on the vivid color aspect of a "glow", especially in visual contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "glow" in a sentence?

The word "glow" can be used to describe a soft, diffused light, as in "The embers had a faint glow". It can also be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of warmth or well-being, such as "She had a healthy glow after her vacation".

What's the difference between "glow" and "shine"?

"Glow" suggests a soft, diffused light, while "shine" implies a brighter, more intense light. A candle might glow, while the sun shines.

What are some synonyms for "glow"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "glow" include "radiance", "gleam", "shine", "luminescence", and "warmth".

Is it correct to say someone is "glowing with happiness"?

Yes, using "glowing with happiness" is a common and accepted idiom to describe someone who appears radiant and joyful. It suggests that their happiness is so strong that it's almost visible.