How to pronounce glimmer
Say it like GLIM-er. Glimmer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GLIM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce glimmer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GLIM
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Glimmer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GLIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of glimmer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: GLIM-uh.
What does glimmer mean?
- A faint light; a dim glow.“The glimmer of the fireflies was pleasant to watch.”
- A flash of light.
- A faint or remote possibility (as it were a flash of light).
- To shine with a faint, unsteady light.“the glimmering dawn a glimmering lamp”
Where does glimmer come from?
From Middle English glimeren, glemeren (“to glimmer”), equivalent to glim (“to shine”) + -er (frequentative suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with glimmer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of glimmer.
Questions about saying glimmer
How do you pronounce glimmer?
Say GLIM-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡlɪmɚ/. In British English it is /ˈɡlɪmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in glimmer?
Glimmer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GLIM). Broken into parts: GLIM · er.
Is glimmer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɡlɪmə/ (GLIM-uh).