spangle

American  

[spang-guhl] / ˈspæŋ gəl /

noun

• spangles
  plural

1. a small, thin, often circular piece of glittering metal or other material, used especially for decorating garments.

2. any small, bright drop, object, spot, or the like.

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verb (used with object)

spangled, spangling

1. to decorate with spangles.

2. to sprinkle or stud with small, bright pieces, objects, spots, etc.

verb (used without object)

spangled, spangling

1. to glitter with or like spangles.

spangle British  

/ ˈspæŋɡəl /

noun

1. a small thin piece of metal or other shiny material used as a decoration, esp on clothes; sequin

2. any glittering or shiny spot or object

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verb

1. (intr) to glitter or shine with or like spangles

2. (tr) to decorate or cover with spangles

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spangly
  adjective
• unspangled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• spangles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of spangle

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English noun spangel(e), equivalent to spange “spangle” (perhaps from Middle Dutch spange, spaenge “brooch, clasp,” or from Old Norse spǫng “clasp, buckle, spangle”) + -le -le ( def. )

Explanation

Do you like your outfits to have flair? A little sparkle? Then you're probably a fan of spangles, or small, shiny decorative things like sequins. Vegas showgirls and beauty queens know all about spangle. Their outfits are usually covered in the sequins, crystals, golden beads and sparkly frills that are all considered kinds of spangles. And if you want to use spangle as a verb, go right ahead — as in, "all that glitter certainly makes those showgirls spangle up on stage."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spangle spangles spangled spangling

If confetti supplies have plummeted, if a spangle shortage now afflicts Manhattan, blame a tent at the southwestern corner of Lincoln Center.

From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2023

It fits down to the last spangle on the jumpsuit of every self-respecting wannabe Elvis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2023

It was always the cat eye in high-wattage spangle.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 22, 2023

The cartoonlike “action” lines that animate the cat direct your eye toward a spangle of geometric shapes the passer-by has scattered to the ground to stir up some feline hunting instinct.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2017

I could not have escaped hunting if I had wanted to, for open seasons spangle the autumn.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Many were wearing their own sequins and spangles, sparkling spectacles, top hats, feather boas, and in a few cases, Donald Duck suits, representing stages of John’s 55-year career.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2022

Fairgoers of all ages had spangles applied to their faces by a person claiming to be “Alaska’s first-ever glitter artist.”

From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2022

The next morning, everything spangles with light – the grasses and swaying trees; the single cloud that floats above the lake like a tiny whale.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 8, 2020

Still, they keep coming, against all odds, tricked out in spangles, torn shirts, and tattoos, seeking a place where they can find themselves, and one another.

From The New Yorker ● Mar. 12, 2019

She is one of Prospero’s attendant spirits in The Tempest, and has to wear a body stocking, with a gauzy costume over top, sprinkled with dried leaves and spangles.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Joining her were six-piece girl group Katseye, playing their love-it-or-hate-it viral hit Gnarly; and New York indie artist Sombr, sporting a spangled jumpsuit for his rendition of 12 to 12.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026

Barry Keoghan sported a similarly spangled jacket over a mesh tank top, looking not too different than his “Saltburn” character did when he ingratiated himself with the nobility.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

She had packed a kaleidoscopic spangled “disco dress,” complete with platform shoes and a matching headband.

From New York Times ● Jun. 24, 2023

Ami, who had a schedule spangled with honors classes, now expects to repeat the ninth grade.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2022

She had on a spangled top that sparkled like fish scales.

From "Raymie Nightingale" by Kate DiCamillo

In addition to spangling the garden with colorful blooms beginning in late winter, native annuals are an ecological powerhouse.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2023

Finely cut leaves of Japanese maples dangled spangling drops.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 28, 2023

The occasional onscreen spangling of the images with onomatopoeias and impact-sparks provides reminders of Spider-Man’s vintage hand-drawn comic-book origins.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 29, 2018

Still, she gazed out at the afternoon sun spangling the blue-black river as he kept talking flamenco rhythms and stanza breaks.

From New York Times ● Nov. 2, 2018

A good ten yards wide it was, fast-flowing and smooth, spangling and dazzling in the evening sun.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams