ぎらり

also: ぎょろり · ぎろり · ぎろっ

Meanings

1

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

staring; glaring; goggling

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a sharp, intense stare, often with a sense of menace or strong emotion. Used adverbially with と or as a standalone mimetic word.

彼かれはぎらりと私わたしをにらんだ。
He glared at me sharply.
暗くら闇やみで猫ねこの目めがぎらりと光ひかった。
The cat's eyes gleamed piercingly in the dark.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Don't confuse with

じろりN1
ぎろり describes a more intense, glaring look often tinged with anger, while じろり is a sharper but shorter scrutinizing glance.

Written forms

ぎらりUsage27%
Standard hiragana spelling for this mimetic adverb.
ぎょろりUsage20%
Variant emphasizing a more protruding, staring look.
ぎろりUsage18%
Variant with a slightly sharper, more piercing nuance.
ギラリUsage15%
Katakana variant often used for emphasis or stylistic effect.
ギロリUsage11%
Katakana variant of ぎろり.
ギョロリUsage8%
Katakana variant of ぎょろり.
ぎろっ
Clipped variant with a more abrupt, sharp feel.
ギロッ
Katakana variant of ぎろっ.

Etymology

Mimetic word; the exact derivation is uncertain, but the sound-symbolic element ぎら/ぎょろ/ぎろ evokes a sharp, intense visual impression.