From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishglanceglance1 /ɡlɑːns $ ɡlæns/ ●●○ verb [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] 1 LOOK ATto quickly look at someone or somethingglance at/up/down etc The man glanced nervously at his watch. Wyatt glanced around the restaurant. Emily glanced over her shoulder.► see thesaurus at look2 to read something very quicklyglance at/through etc Can you glance through these figures for me?RegisterIn everyday English, people often say take a quick look at/through etc something rather than glance at/through etc something:I took a quick look at my watch. → glance off (something)→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
glance• Isobel glanced at her husband, and saw his face had hardened, and that his eyes were angry.• The doorbell rang and she started violently before glancing at her watch with a frown.• "Some of you may not be happy about what I have to say, " he began, glancing at Janey.• She glanced at Miss Poole, who was delicately holding the gourd of beer but no longer sipping.• By the car I glance back at the house.• I glanced back over my shoulder, at the same time looking for an escape route.• He pulled file after file out of a tin cabinet, glancing in and tossing them aside.• Glancing into Neil's room, she noticed that his suitcase was packed.• Dr Morse kept glancing nervously at his watch.• He glanced over his shoulder, the man was coming towards him, pushing through the crowd.• He glanced up as she came in and swept everything back into the drawer.glance at/up/down etc• Rufus gave a little skip and glanced up at Elizabeth.• As she got in, Maggie glanced up at the sky.• I glance up from my book to notice the apple tree heavy with ripe fruit.• I was playing with her as usual and casting furtive glances at her six heavy gold bangles.• He stole a glance at her.• Two weeks ago, Leavey glanced at the bank statements NationsBank was sending to Dena.• Sergia glanced at the others, then told the story.• He glanced at Willie who had now finished writing.glance at/through etc• Let us glance at a familiar passage of Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5.16-21.• We all glanced at each other, saying nothing, and filed after him.• Beatrice Varney reddened and glanced at her daughter.• Mr Jackson in his turn glanced at Janey, whose eyes began to bulge from under her prominent lids.• I glanced at the clock with uneasiness.• A glance at the mating behaviour of cats tells why.• He glanced at Willie who had now finished writing.glanceglance2 ●●○ noun [countable] 1 LOOK ATa quick look He gave her a quick glance and smiled.sidelong/sideways glance She couldn’t resist a sidelong glance (=a look that is not direct) at him.take/shoot/throw/cast a glance (at somebody) (=look at someone or something quickly) The couple at the next table cast quick glances in our direction. The brothers exchanged glances (=looked at each other quickly).2 → at a glance3 → at first glance/sightCOLLOCATIONSverbsgive something/somebody a glanceHe gave Imran a quick glance.take a glance (also have a glance British English)She took a quick glance around the office.cast/throw a glance (=look quickly)She cast a shy glance toward Shelby.shoot a glance (=look extremely quickly)He shot a glance at Ellen, making sure she understood him.steal a glance (=look quickly and secretly)Alice stole a quick glance in the mirror to check her hair.exchange glances (=look at each other quickly)Mai exchanged glances with Tatsuya.somebody’s glance falls on something (=someone looks at something)Geoff’s glance fell on the broken vase.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + glancea quick/brief glanceI had little time for more than a quick glance around the house.a cursory glance (=a very quick look without much attention to details)I cast a cursory glance over the clothes.a fleeting glance (=a very quick look)Stephen exchanged a fleeting glance with his father.a backwards glanceHe took a quick backwards glance at the house, and then continued walking.a sidelong/sideways glance (=a way of looking by moving your eyes to the side)Christina gave her husband a sidelong glance.a casual glance (=without any serious interest or attention)The bench would have been difficult to see by a casual glance.a meaningful glance (=clearly showing what you think)They exchanged meaningful glances.a furtive glance (=a quick secret look)Della gave Chris a furtive glance.a nervous glanceHe shot a nervous glance at his wife.a warning glanceShe cast a warning glance at Elena. Examples from the Corpus
glance• At a glance you know what's on and how high.• The individuality and richness of their lives - given a glance of a chance - mocked such lumpen labels.• It inevitably is transmitted through a glance, affectionate touch, strong feelings that show.• A glance at my watch showed that it was nearly five and I was bored to death.• I walked away without a wave or a backward glance.• They'd exchanged one brief glance only since she'd run from the stable that morning.• At first glance, Cowley thought, he looked like a retired accountant.• She did not let her glance fall in his direction again.• They cast knowing glances at one another.• A quick glance at the map showed that we were on the right road.• Tammy gave her sister a sidelong glance and the two started to giggle.gave ... glance• I stepped aside from the other parents in case he wanted some help, but he barely gave me a glance.• Mary gave one horrified glance at it, then flung herself madly into the ditch at the side of the lane.• She gave a quick glance in the mirror over the sideboard.• She gave one glance towards Rose, then looked away.• He, too, gave Robert a glance.Origin glance1 (1400-1500) Perhaps from glent “to move quickly, shine” ((13-19 centuries)) 