Glow vs. Glowing: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
Glow vs. Glowing: "Glow" refers to a steady light or a lustrous shine, while "Glowing" is the continuous tense, describing something that is emitting or reflecting light.
Key Differences
The word "Glow" is a noun and a verb and generally signifies a steady, soft light emitted by or reflected from a body or object. In contrast, "Glowing" serves as the present continuous tense of the verb "Glow," indicating an ongoing action where something is in a state of emitting or reflecting light. Both portray the concept of light, but their grammatical roles and usages in sentences are different.
"Glow" often symbolizes a warm, rich light, whether it is physical light, like the glow of a lantern, or metaphorical, representing health, vitality, or enthusiasm. "Glowing," on the other hand, often extends this depiction by reflecting a radiating, shining, or brilliant light or appearance, indicating a sustained action or state of glowing.
A “Glow” can be momentary or stable and can often be inherent, as seen in the glow of molten metal. Conversely, “Glowing” implies a dynamic, active state, illuminating the surrounding with its light, as visible in the phrase “The candles are glowing softly,” demonstrating the active illumination of the candles.
“Glow” is versatile, describing both the physical emission of light and the metaphorical expression of emotions or states like happiness or health. “Glowing,” while still maintaining this versatility, often emphasizes the ongoing or enduring nature of such emissions or states, either physical or metaphorical.
Ultimately, whether utilized as indicators of physical luminance or metaphoric expressions of states or feelings, “Glow” and “Glowing” enrich language by offering nuanced ways to depict light and brilliance, with “Glow” often focusing on the state or condition and “Glowing” on the ongoing action or process.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun/Verb
Verb (Present Continuous)
Indicates
Steady light or lustrous shine
The act of emitting or reflecting light
Duration
Can be momentary or stable
Implies a continuous or ongoing state
Usage
Describes physical or metaphorical light
Describes actively radiating light
Example Sentence
The glow of the moon illuminated the night.
The moon is glowing brightly in the night sky.
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Glow and Glowing Definitions
Glow
Glow refers to a luminous appearance.
His face had a healthy glow after the run.
Glowing
Glowing signifies being luminous with color.
The room was filled with glowing amber light.
Glow
Glow can imply a feeling of warmth or pleasure.
She felt a glow of happiness inside her.
Glowing
Glowing describes being in an active state of glowing.
The fireflies were glowing in the dark.
Glow
Glow can denote a vibrant, striking appearance.
The sunset had a mesmerizing glow.
Glowing
Glowing means giving out a light, heat, or a radiant appearance.
Her glowing skin was a sign of good health.
Glow
To shine brightly and steadily, especially without a flame
Embers glowed in the furnace.
Glowing
Glowing implies appearing to be radiant with happiness or enthusiasm.
She had a glowing smile on her face.
Glow
To have a bright, warm, usually reddish color
The children's cheeks glowed from the cold.
Glowing
To shine brightly and steadily, especially without a flame
Embers glowed in the furnace.
Glow
To flush; blush.
Glowing
To have a bright, warm, usually reddish color
The children's cheeks glowed from the cold.
Glow
To be exuberant or radiant
Parents glowing with pride.
Glowing
To flush; blush.
Glow
A light produced by a body heated to luminosity; incandescence.
Glowing
To be exuberant or radiant
Parents glowing with pride.
Glow
Brilliance or warmth of color, especially redness
"the evening glow of the city streets when the sun has gone behind the tallest houses" (Seán O'Faoláin).
Glowing
A light produced by a body heated to luminosity; incandescence.
Glow
A sensation of physical warmth.
Glowing
Brilliance or warmth of color, especially redness
"the evening glow of the city streets when the sun has gone behind the tallest houses" (Seán O'Faoláin).
Glow
A warm feeling, as of pleasure or well-being.
Glowing
A sensation of physical warmth.
Glow
To emit light as if heated.
The fire was still glowing after ten hours.
Glowing
A warm feeling, as of pleasure or well-being.
Glow
(copulative) To radiate thermal heat.
Iron glows red hot when heated to near its melting point.
After their workout, the gymnasts' faces were glowing red.
Glowing
Present participle of glow
Glow
To display intense emotion.
The zealots glowed with religious fervor.
You are glowing from happiness!
Glowing
The action of the verb glow.
Glow
To gaze especially passionately at something.
Glowing
That glows or glow.
Glowing embers
Glow
To shine brightly and steadily.
The new baby's room glows with bright, loving colors.
Glowing
(figuratively) Full of praise.
He received glowing references from his previous employers.
Glow
(transitive) To make hot; to flush.
Glowing
Softly bright or radiant.
Glow
(intransitive) To feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn.
Glowing
Highly enthusiastic; as, glowing praise.
Glow
To be related to or part of an (chiefly online) undercover sting operation, especially by American federal agencies.
Glowing
Brilliantly colored and apparently giving off light.
Glow
To expose someone to the authorities.
Glowing
Afire; as, glowing embers.
Glow
To create a threatening online post that may involve violence, and look suspicious enough to attract a police investigation.
Glowing
The amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
Glow
The light given off by a glowing object.
Glowing
Softly bright or radiant;
A house aglow with lights
Glowing embers
Lambent tongues of flame
The lucent moon
A sky luminous with stars
Glow
The condition of being passionate or having warm feelings.
Glowing
Highly enthusiastic;
Glowing praise
Glow
The brilliance or warmth of color in an environment or on a person (especially one's face).
He had a bright red glow on his face.
Glowing
Glowing refers to expressing great praise.
He received a glowing review for his performance.
Glow
To shine with an intense or white heat; to give forth vivid light and heat; to be incandescent.
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees.
Glow
To exhibit a strong, bright color; to be brilliant, as if with heat; to be bright or red with heat or animation, with blushes, etc.
Clad in a gown that glows with Tyrian rays.
And glow with shame of your proceedings.
Glow
To feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn.
Did not his temples glowIn the same sultry winds and acrching heats?
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands.
Glow
To feel the heat of passion; to be animated, as by intense love, zeal, anger, etc.; to rage, as passior; as, the heart glows with love, zeal, or patriotism.
With pride it mounts, and with revenge it glows.
Burns with one love, with one resentment glows.
Glow
To make hot; to flush.
Fans, whose wind did seemTo glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool.
Glow
White or red heat; incandscence.
Glow
Brightness or warmth of color; redness; a rosy flush; as, the glow of health in the cheeks.
Glow
Intense excitement or earnestness; vehemence or heat of passion; ardor.
The red glow of scorn.
Glow
Heat of body; a sensation of warmth, as that produced by exercise, etc.
Glow
An alert and refreshed state
Glow
Light from nonthermal sources
Glow
The phenomenon of light emission by a body as its temperature is raised
Glow
A feeling of considerable warmth;
The glow of new love
A glow of regret
Glow
A steady even light without flames
Glow
The amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
Glow
An appearance of reflected light
Glow
Emit a steady even light without flames;
The fireflies were glowing and flying about in the garden
Glow
Especially of the complexion: show a strong bright color, such as red or pink;
Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna
Glow
Shine intensely, as if with heat;
The coals were glowing in the dark
The candles were burning
Glow
Be exuberant or high-spirited;
Make the people's hearts glow
Glow
Experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion;
She was beaming with joy
Her face radiated with happiness
Glow
A glow is a steady, visible light.
The glow from the streetlight was comforting.
Glow
Glow signifies radiant heat and light from something hot.
The glow of the embers warmed the room.
FAQs
Can "Glow" represent a metaphorical shine or warmth?
Absolutely, "Glow" can represent both literal and metaphorical shine or warmth.
Does "Glowing" represent an ongoing state?
Yes, "Glowing" often represents something in an ongoing state of emitting light.
Can "Glow" describe a color appearance?
Yes, "Glow" can be used to describe a vibrant and striking appearance of color.
Can "Glowing" express happiness or enthusiasm?
Yes, "Glowing" can imply appearing radiant with happiness or enthusiasm.
Is "Glowing" the present continuous form of "Glow"?
Yes, "Glowing" is the present continuous form of the verb "Glow."
Can "Glowing" refer to giving great praise?
Yes, "Glowing" can refer to expressing very positive, praising remarks.
Is "Glowing" used to describe color?
Yes, "Glowing" can describe something that is luminous with color.
Is "Glow" both a noun and a verb?
Yes, "Glow" can function both as a noun and a verb in a sentence.
Can "Glow" refer to warmth or pleasure?
Yes, "Glow" can denote a feeling of warmth, pleasure, or satisfaction.
Does "Glow" imply a lasting light?
"Glow" can imply either a momentary or a lasting light, depending on the context.
Can "Glow" signify a visible light?
Yes, "Glow" often signifies a steady and visible light.
Can "Glowing" refer to skin appearance?
Absolutely, "Glowing" is commonly used to describe radiant and healthy-looking skin.
Is "Glowing" an adjective?
Yes, "Glowing" can function as an adjective to describe something that glows.
Can "Glow" describe the appearance of someone in good health?
Absolutely, "Glow" can describe the radiant appearance of someone in good health.
Can "Glow" and "Glowing" be used metaphorically?
Yes, both "Glow" and "Glowing" can be used to describe metaphorical expressions of light, warmth, or praise.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
