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.
There would be personality wallpaper in the bathroom, icy sparkling cocktails, very good roast chicken and a bread service so generous it would probably make an accountant nervous.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
Over the summer, items like Energy Refreshers and the Unicorn Frappuccino were popular, and Starbucks plans to test sparkling beverages in some areas.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
After the Cowboys moved from their original home, the Cotton Bowl, to the sparkling new Texas Stadium in 1971, they needed a commensurately bigger spectacle on the sidelines, too.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
On the appointed evening, Drew and I watched the sun set over the Pacific with an intimate coterie of dear friends, imbibing cocktails, mocktails and my favorite Schramsberg sparkling wine.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Bobby’s remuneration from the American Chess Foundation for his sparkling brilliancy?
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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