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Gleam vs Shiny - What's the difference?

gleam | shiny |

As nouns the difference between gleam and shiny

is that gleam is a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light while shiny is anything shiny; a trinket.

As a verb gleam

is to shine; to glitter; to glisten.

As an adjective shiny is

reflecting light.

gleam

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • a small or indistinct shaft or stream of light.
  • * Longfellow
    • A glimmer, and then a gleam of light.
  • a glimpse or hint; an indistinct sign of something.
    • The rescue workers preserved a gleam of optimism that they might still survive.
  • brightness or shininess; splendor.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • In the clear azure gleam the flocks are seen.

    Synonyms

    * (small shaft or stream of light) beam, ray * (glimpse or indistinct sign) flicker, glimmer, trace * (brightness or splendor) dazzle, lambency, shine

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To shine; to glitter; to glisten.
  • To be briefly but strongly apparent.
  • (obsolete, falconry) To disgorge filth, as a hawk.

    • Synonyms

    * glint, sparkle * (to radiate or emanate) glow, shine * (to be briefly but strongly apparent) flare, flash, kindle

    See also

    * leam

    References

    * * * *

    shiny

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Reflecting light.
  • * :
    • Bender: Bite my shiny metal ass!
  • Emitting light.
  • (colloquial) Excellent; remarkable.
  • (obsolete) Bright; luminous; clear; unclouded.
  • * (rfdate) (Dryden)
    • Like distant thunder on a shiny day.
  • * The Lincolnshire Poacher (traditional song)
    • When I was bound apprentice in famous Lincolnshire
    Full well I served my master for nigh on seven years
    Till I took up to poaching as you shall quickly hear
    Oh, 'tis my delight on a shiny night in the season of the year.

    Derived terms

    * shininess

    Noun

    (shinies)
  • (informal) Anything shiny; a trinket.