spark
1an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.
Also called sparkover .Electricity.
the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.
the discharge itself.
any electric arc of relatively small energy content.
the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.
anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.
a small amount or trace of something.
a trace of life or vitality.
sparks, (used with a singular verb)Slang. a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.
(usually initial capital letter) a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.
to emit or produce sparks.
to issue as or like sparks.
to send forth gleams or flashes.
(of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.
to kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.): These bright students have sparked her enthusiasm for teaching. The arrival of the piano player really sparked the party.
Origin of spark
1Other words for spark
Other words from spark
- sparkless, adjective
- spark·less·ly, adverb
- sparklike, adjective
Words Nearby spark
Other definitions for spark (2 of 3)
an elegant or foppish young man.
a beau, lover, or suitor.
a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.
to woo; court.
to engage in courtship; woo.
Origin of spark
2Other words from spark
- sparkish, adjective
- spark·ish·ly, adverb
- spark·ish·ness, noun
- sparklike, adjective
Other definitions for Spark (3 of 3)
Muriel (Sarah) (Camberg), 1918–2006, British novelist and writer, born in Scotland.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spark in a sentence
Junior forward Jairus Hamilton had another solid evening, giving Maryland an offensive spark off the bench.
Maryland, led by its junior guards, completes a two-game sweep of Nebraska | Emily Giambalvo | February 18, 2021 | Washington PostGloves must insulate against the heat, sparks, radiation, and electricity from welding.
Welding gloves to keep you safe and comfortable on the job | PopSci Commerce Team | February 9, 2021 | Popular-ScienceWhat’s different today is that the spark is the leadership of the President of the United States.
The Republican Party Has Distanced Itself From The Capitol Riot. But Local GOP Officials Fueled Supporters' Rage Ahead of Jan. 6 | Madeleine Carlisle | January 15, 2021 | TimeAll are needed, fueled by the joy that innovators experience with the spark of novel ideas, and the desire to bring them to life.
The pace of the vaccine rollout remains closely watched, and any positive news on this front could put a spark back into equity markets.
Wall Street retreats from record highs amid virus, political uncertainty | Taylor Telford | January 11, 2021 | Washington Post
I love seeing memes take off and spark mutations and parodies and homages.
Death of the Author by Viral Infection: In Defense of Taylor Swift, Digital Doomsayer | Arthur Chu | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOur inner cities are stacks of dry leaves and lumber, waiting for a spark.
‘Why Have I Lost Control?’: Cory Booker in ’92 on Rodney King Echoes Ferguson | Cory Booker | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen, it was the arrest of a popular leader named Mullah Kareem without just cause that provided the spark.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTYou refer to a car accident you were in as a kind of spark for you to get back into acting.
All Eyes on Anjelica Huston: The Legendary Actress on Love, Abuse, and Jack Nicholson | Alex Suskind | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTheir aim was to make beautiful art—and hopefully spark a conversation.
Anatomy of a Drone Porn: ‘Drone Boning’ Makes Sex Look Like Art | Aurora Snow | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTVery trim and strong, and confident he looked, with the glow of youth in his cheeks, and the spark of happiness in his gray eyes.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) OgdenIf ever a spark of feeling for her husband arose within Maude's heart, it was when she thought of Anne Ashton.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodWe passed beyond spark-range and splashed out on a sand-bar that jutted from the southern bank.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairNow listen to me, said the dying woman, aloud, as if making a great effort to revive one latent spark of energy.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensGradually, however, the spark grew to a burning mass, which created the draught of air that fanned it.
The Garret and the Garden | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)
/ (spɑːk) /
a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces
a momentary flash of light accompanied by a sharp crackling noise, produced by a sudden electrical discharge through the air or some other insulating medium between two points
the electrical discharge itself
(as modifier): a spark gap
anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite
a trace or hint: she doesn't show a spark of interest
vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour
a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass
(intr) to give off sparks
(intr) (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark
(tr often foll by off) to kindle, excite, or animate
Origin of spark
1British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)
/ (spɑːk) /
a fashionable or gallant young man
bright spark British usually ironic a person who appears clever or witty: some bright spark left the papers next to the open window
rare to woo (a person)
Origin of spark
2Derived forms of spark
- sparkish, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Spark (3 of 3)
/ (spɑːk) /
Dame Muriel (Sarah). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Memento Mori (1959), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961), The Takeover (1976), A Far Cry from Kensington (1988), Symposium (1990), and The Finishing School (2004)
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with spark
see make the sparks fly.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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