spark

[ spahrk ]

/ spɑrk /

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noun

an 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.

verb (used without object)

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR spark

4 jot, bit, flicker.

See synonyms for spark on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spark

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun spark(e), sparc(k), Old English spearca, spærca, sperca; cognate with Middle Dutch sparcke, spercke, Middle Low German sparke; the verb is derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

sparkless, adjectivespark·less·ly, adverbsparklike, adjective

Words nearby spark

sparge, sparid, Sparine, sparing, sparingly, spark, spark arrester, spark chamber, spark coil, sparker, spark erosion

Other definitions for spark (2 of 3)

spark²

[ spahrk ]

/ spɑrk /

Informal: Older Use.

noun

an elegant or foppish young man.

a beau, lover, or suitor.

a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.

verb (used with object)

to woo; court.

verb (used without object)

to engage in courtship; woo.

Origin of spark

First recorded in 1575–85; figurative use of spark¹, or from Old Norse sparkr “quick, lively, brisk”

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

sparkish, adjectivespark·ish·ly, adverbspark·ish·ness, nounsparklike, adjective

Other definitions for spark (3 of 3)

Spark

[ spahrk ]

/ spɑrk /

noun

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 Post
Gloves 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-Science
What’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|Time
All are needed, fueled by the joy that innovators experience with the spark of novel ideas, and the desire to bring them to life.
How patents help us invent the future|Matthew Heimer|January 13, 2021|Fortune

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|DAILY BEAST
Our 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|DAILY BEAST
Then, 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|DAILY BEAST
You 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|DAILY BEAST
Their 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|DAILY BEAST
Very 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) Ogden
If 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 Wood
We passed beyond spark-range and splashed out on a sand-bar that jutted from the southern bank.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Now 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 Dickens
Gradually, 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)

spark¹

/ (spɑːk) /

noun

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 hintshe doesn't show a spark of interest

vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour

a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass

verb

(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

Word Origin for spark

Old English spearca; related to Middle Low German sparke, Middle Dutch spranke, Lettish spirgsti cinders, Latin spargere to strew

British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)

spark²

/ (spɑːk) /

noun rare

a fashionable or gallant young man

bright spark British usually ironic a person who appears clever or wittysome bright spark left the papers next to the open window

verb

rare to woo (a person)

Derived forms of spark

sparkish, adjective

Word Origin for spark

C16 (in the sense: beautiful or witty woman): perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sparkr vivacious

British Dictionary definitions for spark (3 of 3)

Spark

/ (spɑːk) /

noun

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

spark

see make the sparks fly.

spark

OTHER WORDS FOR spark

Origin of spark

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

Words nearby spark

Other definitions for spark (2 of 3)

Origin of spark

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

Other definitions for spark (3 of 3)

Words related to spark

How to use spark in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)

Word Origin for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)

Derived forms of spark

Word Origin for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (3 of 3)

Other Idioms and Phrases with spark