Word a Day
gleam
What does gleam mean?
gleam (verb): to shine, especially in an indistinct or intermittent manner; to glisten, to glitter.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you pronounce gleam?
/ɡlim/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does gleam come from?
From Middle English glemen (“to shine; to glance, look”), from glem, gleme (noun) + -en (suffix forming the infinitive of verbs).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “gleam”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “gleam” mean?
to be the first to do or achieve (something), preparing the way for others to follow
Not quite: that's what pioneer means.
to put an end to, especially with force, to crush, do away with; to prohibit, subdue
Not quite: that's what suppress means.
to shine, especially in an indistinct or intermittent manner; to glisten, to glitter
Right! That's what “gleam” means.
to allow or permit without explicit approval, usually if it is perceived as negative
Not quite: that's what tolerate means.
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