Glance: meaning, definitions and examples

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glance

[ɡlæns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in a quick look

To take a brief or hurried look. To look quickly or briefly. To cast a brief or hurried look. To look or glance quickly or briefly. To look briefly. To take a quick look. To look quickly.

Synonyms

glimpse, look quickly, peek, peek at.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
glance	Use 'glance' when you are referring to a quick and often intentional look at something. She took a quick glance at her watch. He only needed a glance to recognize the painting.
peek	Use 'peek' when you are looking quickly and secretly at something, often to see something you are not supposed to see. She peeked into the gift bag to see what was inside. The kids peeked through the curtains to watch the surprise party setup.
glimpse	Use 'glimpse' when you catch sight of something briefly or partially, often without intention. He caught a glimpse of her as she walked by. I only had a glimpse of the actor before the crowd blocked my view.
peek at	Use 'peek at' when specifying the object of the quick and secretive look. She couldn't resist peeking at her friend's diary. While waiting in the queue, he peeked at the menu.
look quickly	Use 'look quickly' when you want to emphasize the speed of the action of looking, without any specific intention behind the look. She looked quickly at the door when she heard the noise. He had to look quickly to avoid missing the passing car.

Examples of usage

He glanced at his watch to check the time.
She glanced around the room nervously.
I just glanced at the newspaper headlines this morning.
The teacher glanced over the students' homework quickly.
We quickly glanced at the map to find our way.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

quick look

A brief or hurried look. A quick or brief look. A rapid or hurried look. A quick view. A swift or brief look. A fast or quick look. A passing or quick look. A cursory look.

Synonyms

brief look, glimpse, look, quick look.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
glance	When you take a very quick look at something or someone, typically out of curiosity or to get a quick piece of information. He stole a glance at the clock to check the time. She glanced through the report quickly.
glimpse	When you catch a quick, often incomplete view of something, usually for just a moment. Can imply seeing something partially or through an obstacle. I caught a glimpse of the actor as he stepped out of the car. She glimpsed her reflection in the window as she walked by.
look	A more general term for directing one's gaze towards something. It doesn't specify the duration or the intention behind the action. Take a look at this photograph. He gave her a curious look.
quick look	Similar to 'glance,' it refers to a very short and rapid observation, often to gather information quickly. Give me a quick look at that document.
brief look	When you look at something for a short amount of time, usually to get a general idea without going into detail. I took a brief look at the menu before deciding on my order. The teacher gave the homework a brief look before returning it.

Examples of usage

She gave him a quick glance before leaving the room.
He caught a glance of the beautiful sunset.
I saw a glance of recognition in her eyes.
His glance lingered on her for a moment.
The teacher gave the student a quick glance.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'glance' comes from the Middle English word 'glancen,' which means to shine or sparkle.
Old Norse influence may have contributed to 'glance,' with similar meanings found in related words.
The earliest recorded use of 'glance' dates back to the 14th century.

Psychology

Studies show that first impressions are often formed in less than a second, highlighting the power of a quick glance.
People can read emotions from a person's face with just a fleeting gaze, emphasizing non-verbal communication.
Glancing at multiple faces can cause the brain to switch focus rapidly, indicating how we process social signals.

Literature

In literature, the way a character glances can convey emotion, intrigue, or intentions without needing dialogue.
Famous authors often use glances to depict tension between characters, hinting at unspoken feelings.
The phrase 'a glance that could kill' illustrates how a simple look can express deep feelings like anger or jealousy.

Pop Culture

In many romantic films, a single glance between characters signifies love or attraction, often more powerful than spoken words.
The term 'glance' is frequently found in song lyrics to convey fleeting moments in relationships.
Social media platforms emphasize the speed of information, encouraging quick glances at posts rather than in-depth reading.

Science

Researchers have found that the human eye can detect movement in just 13 milliseconds, contributing to rapid glancing.
The eyes can process images and relay information to the brain up to 200 milliseconds quicker than other senses.
A glance helps in navigation and is important for maintaining situational awareness, especially in busy environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "glance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 olhar

🇮🇳 झलक

🇩🇪 Blick

🇮🇩 pandangan sekilas

🇺🇦 погляд

🇵🇱 spojrzenie

🇯🇵 一目

🇫🇷 coup d'œil

🇪🇸 mirada

🇹🇷 bakış

🇰🇷 흘끗 봄

🇸🇦 نظرة

🇨🇿 pohled

🇸🇰 pohľad

🇨🇳 一瞥

🇸🇮 pogled

🇮🇸 svip

🇰🇿 қарау

🇬🇪 მზერა

🇦🇿 baxış

🇲🇽 mirada

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,008, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4005 emission
4006 instructed
4007 governed
4008 glance
4009 treasurer
4010 undertake
4011 potentially
...