Dictionary.com

scintillate

[ sin-tl-eyt ]
/ ˈsɪn tlˌeɪt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: scintillate / scintillating on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object), scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing.
to emit sparks.
to sparkle; flash: a mind that scintillates with brilliance.
to twinkle, as the stars.
Electronics. (of a spot of light or image on a radar display) to shift rapidly around a mean position.
Physics.
  1. (of the amplitude, phase, or polarization of an electromagnetic wave) to fluctuate in a random manner.
  2. (of an energetic photon or particle) to produce a flash of light in a phosphor by striking it.
verb (used with object), scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing.
to emit as sparks; flash forth.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of scintillate

First recorded in 1615–25, scintillate is from the Latin word scintillātus (past participle of scintillāre to send out sparks, flash). See scintilla, -ate1

Words nearby scintillate

scindapsus, scintigram, scintigraphy, scintilla, scintillant, scintillate, scintillating, scintillation, scintillation counter, scintillation spectrometer, scintillator
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to scintillate

flash, glimmer, glitter, shine, sparkle, charm, coruscate, gleam, twinkle

How to use scintillate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scintillate

scintillate
/ (ˈsɪntɪˌleɪt) /
verb (mainly intr)
(also tr) to give off (sparks); sparkle; twinkle
to be animated or brilliant
physics to give off flashes of light as a result of the impact of particles or photons

Derived forms of scintillate

scintillant, adjectivescintillantly, adverb

Word Origin for scintillate

C17: from Latin scintillāre, from scintilla a spark
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
FEEDBACK