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Felipe
To Shine and to Glow. What's the difference?
Dec 26, 2016 5:30 PM
Answers · 5
1
Shine is stronger
Glow is weaker
December 26, 2016
1
They are very similar, and the perceived meaning of each of them varies from person to person. But generally, "to glow" is when something is in a darker area and is producing light and "to shine" is when a light is reflecting off of something or when something is very bright.
December 26, 2016
1
'to shine' is the direct result of emitting light. The sun "shines". The light "shines" bright.
'to glow' is the indirect result/process of emitting heat or light. The stove plate still "glows".
December 26, 2016
There are two main differences that pop out at me.
1) 'To shine' is when an object emits light that comes from another object. Metal can shine when light from the sun, or from a light bulb, hits it and reflects off of it. 'To glow' is when an object emits its own light. Headlights on a car glow, because they create their own light. A lighthouse glows because it creates its own light.
2) Shining *can be* harsh. Something that shines might shine bright enough to cause discomfort, or make you squint your eyes. Glowing is usually more gentle, like a soft glow. You *can* have an object that only shines slightly, and you *can* have an object that glows really brightly. What I described just has to do with the general connotation of the words.
December 26, 2016
Oops, didn't mean to comment - thought I answered it.
December 26, 2016
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Felipe
Language Skills
English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Learning Language
English, Italian, Spanish
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