sparkling
Americanadjective
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shining with flashing points or gleams of reflected light, as the ocean or a faceted gemstone.
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(of liquids) effervescent; carbonated; fizzy.
sparkling water.
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brilliant, lively, or vivacious.
sparkling conversation.
Etymology
Origin of sparkling
First recorded in 1350–1400; sparkl(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. )
Explanation
Something that's sparkling shines or glints with many little lights. You might say that the starry night sky is sparkling. You can describe someone's eyes as sparkling, if they twinkle with light, or admire the sparkling lights on your friend's Christmas tree. Another way to use the adjective sparkling is to describe a carbonated beverage, like sparkling wine or sparkling cider. Any fizzy, bubbly drink is sparkling. People have used sparkling to describe wine and eyes since the fifteenth century, and it comes from the Old English spearca, "glowing or fiery particle thrown off."
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.
Add scallions and sparkling water and, honestly, you have a fairly accurate snapshot of my emotional ecosystem.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
Even cars in the parking lots look fabulous, their roofs and windshields sparkling in the golden sunshine like so many tiny gems.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
When someone asked about “pét nat” wines—short for pétillant naturel, a trendy sparkling variety—one young techie pulled faces that would trigger expulsion from a Swiss lyceum.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Angolan actress Lesliana Pereira dorning a long black dress with half butterfly wing embelished in sparkling gold and silver stones and crystals.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
The rock walls of Pu‘okinau-o-mahuka heiau, a dark and powerful dash. Someone’s swimming pool is a sequin sparkling in the moonlight. And finally Tūtū’s and my lo‘i laid out in neat terraces.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
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.
