spark

1
[ spahrk ]
See synonyms for spark on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.

  2. Also called sparkover .Electricity.

    • the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.

    • the discharge itself.

    • any electric arc of relatively small energy content.

    • the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.

  1. anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.

  2. a small amount or trace of something.

  3. a trace of life or vitality.

  4. sparks, (used with a singular verb)Slang. a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.

  5. (usually initial capital letter) a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.

verb (used without object)
  1. to emit or produce sparks.

  2. to issue as or like sparks.

  1. to send forth gleams or flashes.

  2. (of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.

verb (used with object)
  1. to kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.): These bright students have sparked her enthusiasm for teaching. The arrival of the piano player really sparked the party.

Origin of spark

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English noun spark(e), sparc(k), Old English spearca, spærca, sperca; cognate with Middle Dutch sparcke, spercke, Middle Low German sparke; the verb is derivative of the noun

Other words for spark

Other words from spark

  • sparkless, adjective
  • spark·less·ly, adverb
  • sparklike, adjective

Words Nearby spark

Other definitions for spark (2 of 3)

spark2
[ spahrk ]

noun
  1. an elegant or foppish young man.

  2. a beau, lover, or suitor.

  1. a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.

verb (used with object)
  1. to woo; court.

verb (used without object)
  1. to engage in courtship; woo.

Origin of spark

2
First recorded in 1575–85; figurative use of spark1, or from Old Norse sparkr “quick, lively, brisk”

Other words from spark

  • sparkish, adjective
  • spark·ish·ly, adverb
  • spark·ish·ness, noun
  • sparklike, adjective

Other definitions for Spark (3 of 3)

Spark
[ spahrk ]

noun
  1. Muriel (Sarah) (Camberg), 1918–2006, British novelist and writer, born in Scotland.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use spark in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)

spark1

/ (spɑːk) /


noun
  1. a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces

    • a momentary flash of light accompanied by a sharp crackling noise, produced by a sudden electrical discharge through the air or some other insulating medium between two points

    • the electrical discharge itself

    • (as modifier): a spark gap

  1. anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite

  2. a trace or hint: she doesn't show a spark of interest

  3. vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour

  4. a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass

verb
  1. (intr) to give off sparks

  2. (intr) (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark

  1. (tr often foll by off) to kindle, excite, or animate

Origin of spark

1
Old English spearca; related to Middle Low German sparke, Middle Dutch spranke, Lettish spirgsti cinders, Latin spargere to strew

British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)

spark2

/ (spɑːk) /


nounrare
  1. a fashionable or gallant young man

  2. bright spark British usually ironic a person who appears clever or witty: some bright spark left the papers next to the open window

verb
  1. rare to woo (a person)

Origin of spark

2
C16 (in the sense: beautiful or witty woman): perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sparkr vivacious

Derived forms of spark

  • sparkish, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for Spark (3 of 3)

Spark

/ (spɑːk) /


noun
  1. Dame Muriel (Sarah). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Memento Mori (1959), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961), The Takeover (1976), A Far Cry from Kensington (1988), Symposium (1990), and The Finishing School (2004)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with spark

spark

see make the sparks fly.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.