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Glitter vs Shiny - What's the difference?

glitter | shiny |

As nouns the difference between glitter and shiny

is that glitter is a bright, sparkling light; brilliant and showy luster; brilliancy; as, the glitter of arms; the glitter of royal equipage while shiny is anything shiny; a trinket.

As a verb glitter

is to sparkle with light; to shine with a brilliant and broken light or showy luster; to gleam.

As an adjective shiny is

reflecting light.

glitter

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A bright, sparkling light; brilliant and showy luster; brilliancy; as, the glitter of arms; the glitter of royal equipage.
  • A shiny, decorative adornment, sometimes sprinkled on glue to make simple artwork.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To sparkle with light; to shine with a brilliant and broken light or showy luster; to gleam.
    • a glittering sword
    the glittering ornaments on a Christmas tree
  • * Dryden
    • The field yet glitters with the pomp of war.
  • To be showy, specious, or striking, and hence attractive.
    • the glittering scenes of a court

    Derived terms

    * all that glitters is not gold

    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.