glassy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal to formal; common in descriptive prose.
Quick answer
What does “glassy” mean?
resembling glass in appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
resembling glass in appearance; smooth, clear, and shiny.
often used metaphorically to describe a lifeless, expressionless, or fixed state, particularly of the eyes or stare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally common in both dialects with the same connotations.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in literary/descriptive contexts than in casual speech in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “glassy” in a Sentence
look/be + glassy (The lake looked glassy.)have + glassy + eyes/stare (He had a glassy stare.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glassy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not a standard verb form; 'to glass' is different.)
American English
- (Not a standard verb form; 'to glass' is different.)
adverb
British English
- (Rare; 'glassily' is possible but uncommon: He stared glassily into space.)
American English
- (Rare; 'glassily' is possible but uncommon: The light shone glassily on the wet pavement.)
adjective
British English
- The lake was perfectly glassy in the morning calm.
- After the shock, her eyes went glassy and distant.
American English
- The car's glassy finish reflected the sunset perfectly.
- He listened with a glassy stare, not really hearing a word.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; possibly in product descriptions (e.g., 'glassy finish').
Academic
Used in materials science (e.g., 'glassy phase') and literary analysis.
Everyday
Common for describing calm water, eyes, or shiny surfaces.
Technical
Used in geology ('glassy lava'), materials science ('glassy state'), and ophthalmology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glassy”
- Using 'glassy' to describe something fragile (like glass itself) rather than its appearance.
- Overusing the metaphorical sense in inappropriate contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily visual. For a voice, you might use 'flat', 'emotionless', or 'dull'.
It is neutral descriptively (e.g., glassy surface). It can be negative when describing eyes (suggesting illness, shock, or disconnection).
The related noun is 'glassiness' (e.g., the glassiness of his eyes).
They are very similar. 'Glazed' often suggests a film over the eyes from tiredness or boredom. 'Glassy' can suggest a harder, more fixed and reflective emptiness, often from shock or intense concentration.
resembling glass in appearance.
Glassy is usually informal to formal; common in descriptive prose. in register.
Glassy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɑːsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlæsi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “glassy-eyed (showing no interest or animation)”
- “a glassy stare”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'glass' window; 'glassy' describes anything that looks like that window – smooth, clear, and shiny.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF ANIMATION IS A GLASSY SURFACE (e.g., a glassy stare).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'glassy' used metaphorically?