sparkle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to issue in or as if in little sparks, as fire or light.
The candlelight sparkled in the crystal.
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to emit little sparks, as burning matter.
The flames leaped and sparkled.
-
to shine or glisten with little gleams of light, as a brilliant gem; glitter; coruscate.
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to effervesce, as wine.
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to be brilliant, lively, or vivacious.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a little spark or fiery particle.
-
a sparkling appearance, luster, or play of light.
the sparkle of a diamond.
- Synonyms:
- glitter
-
brilliance, liveliness, or vivacity.
verb
-
to issue or reflect or cause to issue or reflect bright points of light
-
(intr) (of wine, mineral water, etc) to effervesce
-
(intr) to be vivacious or witty
noun
-
a point of light, spark, or gleam
-
vivacity or wit
Synonym Usage
See glisten.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has sparkledperfect 3rd person singular
-
have sparkledperfect
-
am sparklingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is sparklingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are sparklingprogressive
-
have been sparklingperfect progressive
-
sparklingparticiple
-
sparklessingular 3rd person
-
has been sparklingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had sparkledperfect
-
were sparklingprogressive plural
-
was sparklingprogressive singular
-
had been sparklingperfect progressive
-
sparkledparticiple
-
sparkledsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of sparkle
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (noun and verb); see spark 1, -le
Explanation
Fairy dust, stars, Christmas lights, Hanukkah candles, freshly fallen snow, a lake when the sun hits it just right — all of these things sparkle. That means they shine with a bright, glistening, shimmering light. Sparkle can also refer to joy or merriment. When you're having a really good time, your face will sparkle. As a verb, sparkle means to be lively and excited, or to be so brilliant at something that you shine above the rest. It can also describe something bubbly or foamy — like when you add soap to your bath to make the bathwater sparkle. Sparkle can also describe something that produces sparks — like a magic wand.
Vocabulary lists containing sparkle
NAEP Test Words
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"The Forgotten Treasure" and "There Is No Word for Goodbye"
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"Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The monitor had been designed with screws in the back that had 25 concentric circles machined into their flat heads to make them sparkle as light passed over them.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
Instead, finish the top with a scattering of turbinado sugar for crunch and a pinch of flaky salt for sparkle.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
Her skin glows, her eyes sparkle and her hair shines.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
The people who dream up the looks that sparkle at high-profile events, and who make sure that even if you don’t feel perfect, you at least look it.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026
He slides a toe along one whisker to its end, then lets it spring and sparkle in the moonlight.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
