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Arman
What exactly is the difference between glowing, gleaming, and shining?
Nov 7, 2013 2:28 PM
Answers · 6
3
Glowing means literally an object which makes light of it's own. A light bulb glows. It can be used metaphorically 'the pregnant womans skin glowed'. We also say the moon glows, but that is because it was once thought to make it's own light.
Gleaming is like shining, harder to tell the difference ;)
in this context, it means light is reflected off something. The surface of something is polished, smooth, and light bounces off it sharply. 'His sword was shining / gleaming in the sunlight'.
Shine is also a verb - he shone the light from his torch down the stairs (to cast / aim light)
I can't really say much about gleaming, it is not often used. You might use it for very small things, like diamonds, jewels, where there are many small points of light reflecting.
November 7, 2013
1
The TV glows, teeth gleam and the sun shines
November 7, 2013
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Arman
Language Skills
English, Persian (Farsi), Turkish
Learning Language
English, Turkish
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