What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shimmer
Example
The stars shimmered in the night sky. [shimmered: past tense verb]
Example
Her dress shimmered in the sunlight. [shimmered: past tense verb]
flash
Example
The lightning flashed across the sky. [flashed: past tense verb]
Example
She flashed a smile at him as she walked by. [flashed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flash is more commonly used than shimmer in everyday language. Flash is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shimmer is less common and often used to describe natural phenomena.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shimmer and flash?
Both shimmer and flash can be used in formal and informal contexts, but shimmer may be perceived as more poetic or literary due to its delicate connotation.
