Learn English – Are ‘glimpse’ and ‘glance’ interchangeable as verbs

differencesmeaningverbs

I do realise we tend to use glance at something and to catch a glimpse of, but many dictionaries, such as Merriam-Webster, suggest that the latter can also function as a verb. When it does, does it have the meaning as the former?

intransitive verb

  1. archaic : glimmer
  2. : to look briefly · glimpsed at the letter and then threw it aside

transitive verb
: to get a brief look at · glimpsed him as he sped by in his car

(https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glimpse)

I feel this definition suggests it indirectly as well: http://www.english-for-students.com/difference-between-glimpse-and-glance.html

What do you think?

Best Answer

They both carry the meaning of brevity, but for different, perhaps opposite, reasons.

"I strained and stared, and finally glimpsed my hero through the throng."

Here the speaker is trying nonstop to see. The brief viewing was brief because of external circumstances -- the crowd parting for a moment.

"I sensed I was being followed, and a glance in the rear view mirror confirmed it."

Here the speaker chose to look briefly. Again the viewing was brief, but for reasons wholly under the control of the one looking.

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