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Glittery Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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glittery

[ˈɡlɪtəri ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

appearance, fashion

Glittery describes something that sparkles or shines with brightness. It often refers to items that have a shimmering or glimmering quality, such as those adorned with sequins, glitter, or shiny materials.

Synonyms

dazzling, glimmering, shiny, sparkly.

Examples of usage

  • She wore a glittery dress to the party.
  • The night sky was filled with glittery stars.
  • He handed her a glittery gift wrapped in shiny paper.
  • The festival featured glittery decorations everywhere.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Fashion

  • In fashion, glittery materials have been used since the 1920s, especially in evening wear and costumes, to create a sense of glamour.
  • Fashion designers incorporate glittery elements in clothing and accessories to evoke a sense of celebration and extravagance.
  • Glittery makeup became a popular trend in the 1960s and has made a significant comeback in modern beauty trends.

Science

  • Glittery surfaces reflect light in various ways, creating a mesmerizing effect due to the microstructure of glitter particles.
  • The sparkle of glitter can be explained by physics, particularly the principles of reflection and refraction of light.
  • Some scientists use materials that glitter to study the scattering of light, which can also have practical applications in fields like astronomy.

Art

  • Artists often use glittery materials in mixed media and collage to add visual interest and texture.
  • The famous artist Andy Warhol included glittery elements in some of his works, blurring the lines between commercial art and fine art.
  • In the 1970s, the glitter art movement flourished, emphasizing shine and sparkle as a medium of expression.

Origin of 'glittery'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'glitter' comes from the Middle English word 'gliteren,' which means 'to shine.'
  • The addition of 'y' turns the noun into an adjective, describing anything that has a shiny quality.
  • The usage of 'glittery' as a descriptor appeared prominently in the late 19th century with the rise of decorative arts.

The word 'glittery' is derived from the verb 'glitter,' which comes from the Old English word 'glittern,' meaning to shine or to sparkle. The term has evolved over time, and the addition of the suffix '-y' indicates a characteristic or quality. Glitter itself has ancient roots, with similar words found in various Germanic languages, reflecting the human fascination with shiny and brilliant surfaces. Historically, glittery objects have been associated with beauty and adornment, symbolizing wealth and status in many cultures. The use of glitter and shimmer in fashion and art has remained popular, making 'glittery' an enduring descriptor in contemporary vernacular.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #35,000 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.