WordGarden.ioglance
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡlˈɑːns/
US
- /ˈɡlæns/
Meanings
Verb
to look at something quickly
to read or examine something briefly
to hit a surface at an angle and bounce away
Noun
a quick look
Beyond the definition
A glance is a quick look, not a long stare. It happens in a moment and is often done to check something fast. You might glance at the clock to see the time, glance at your phone for a message, or glance across a room to see who just walked in. Sometimes a glance also carries feeling: a warm glance between friends, a nervous glance toward the door, or a sharp glance from someone who does not trust what they see.
To glance means to take a brief, quick look at something. Your eyes move to it for a moment, then move on. It is shorter than watching, studying, or staring. A glance often happens when you want a small piece of information fast, not when you want to examine every detail.
You might glance at the clock before leaving home, glance over your shoulder while walking at night, or glance down at a note during a speech. In each case, the look is short and purposeful. It can also be less deliberate: your eyes may glance toward a sudden movement or bright light before you fully think about it.
The word can describe both the action and the look itself. Someone may glance at you, and they may also give you a glance. That look can show emotion or intention. A shy person might give a quick glance and look away. Two friends might exchange a knowing glance. Someone who feels worried may keep throwing glances at the exit.
The idea behind the word is speed and light contact. The eyes touch something briefly rather than resting on it. That is why glance works so well for quick checks, passing attention, and small but meaningful looks between people.
Examples
- 1
Phone check
She glanced at her phone and put it back in her bag.
- 2
Searching room
He glanced around the room for a familiar face.
- 3
Quick reading
I only had time to glance through the report before the meeting.
- Patternglance through + text/document
look through it quickly
- 4
Checking time
She took a quick glance at the clock and stood up.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Shared reaction
They exchanged a glance when they heard his excuse.
- 6
Quick realization
One glance at the bill told me we had been overcharged.
- 7
First impression
At first glance, the apartment seemed perfect.
- Phraseat first glance
when you first see or consider something
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- glancenounverb
Forms
- glancedpast tenseverbnoun
- glancespluralnounverb
- glancing-ing formverbnoun