glisten
Catch the light
Glisten describes the soft, wet shine of light reflecting off a moist or smooth surface: Her eyes glistened with tears, Dew glistened on the grass.
Unlike glitter or sparkle, which suggest scattered points of light, glisten implies a continuous, subdued sheen—something slick or dewy catching the light.
Tremulous, wavering light
- sparkleEmit flashing light
- glintBrief bright reflection
- gleamFaint reflected light
- twinkleShine with flickering light
shine · glitter · luster · sheen · luminous · radiant · iridescent · scintillate
Overnight surface condensation
- dewdropCondensed moisture on surfaces
- dropletTiny liquid sphere
- moistureSmall amounts of liquid
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
perspiration · teardrop · raindrop · condensation · mist · damp · slick · sheen
Smooth by rubbing
- buffedRubbed to shine
- waxedCoated for shine
- lacqueredCoated with hard gloss
- varnishedCoated with clear gloss
glossy · satin · silken · enamel · chrome · mirror · glass · metallic
shimmer
Tremulous, wavering light
twinkle · shine · glitter · luster · sheen · luminous · radiant · iridescent · scintillate · dazzle
dew
Overnight surface condensation
sweat · perspiration · teardrop · raindrop · condensation · mist · damp · slick · sheen · film
polish
Smooth by rubbing
varnished · glossy · satin · silken · enamel · chrome · mirror · glass · metallic · sleek
morning
Day's early hours
petals · cobweb · spiderweb · frost · ice · snow · stream · pond · ocean · sunlit
tears
Violent pulls apart
brimming · gaze · moved · emotional · watery · moist · cry · sob · glassy-eyed
glistendull
Lacking edge or interest
matte · lusterless · non-reflective · dim · darken