What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glisten
Example
The morning dew made the grass glisten in the sunlight. [glisten: verb]
Example
Her eyes glistened with tears as she listened to the emotional speech. [glistened: past tense]
glitter
Example
The disco ball glittered in the flashing lights. [glitter: verb]
Example
She wore a dress covered in glitter to the New Year's Eve party. [glitter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Glitter is more commonly used than glisten in everyday language. Glitter is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while glisten is less common and refers to a more specific type of shine.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glisten and glitter?
While glisten is typically associated with a formal and poetic tone, glitter is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
