sparkle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to issue in or as if in little sparks, as fire or light.
The candlelight sparkled in the crystal.
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to emit little sparks, as burning matter.
The flames leaped and sparkled.
-
to shine or glisten with little gleams of light, as a brilliant gem; glitter; coruscate.
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to effervesce, as wine.
-
to be brilliant, lively, or vivacious.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a little spark or fiery particle.
-
a sparkling appearance, luster, or play of light.
the sparkle of a diamond.
- Synonyms:
- glitter
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brilliance, liveliness, or vivacity.
verb
-
to issue or reflect or cause to issue or reflect bright points of light
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(intr) (of wine, mineral water, etc) to effervesce
-
(intr) to be vivacious or witty
noun
-
a point of light, spark, or gleam
-
vivacity or wit
Related Words
See glisten.
Other Word Forms
- nonsparkling adjective
- outsparkle verb (used with object)
- unsparkling adjective
Etymology
Origin of sparkle
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (noun and verb); spark 1, -le
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.
Skaters make sure the dresses fit OK before McKinnon and her four-person seamstress team add sparkle, which usually means a crystal count in the thousands.
From Los Angeles Times
A brown patch grew and glowed, and a small flame sparkled on the dry palm fronds, caught the small branches, and began to roar.
From Literature
“I love the way your eyes sparkle in the sunlight,” Andre says.
From Literature
She put her hands on her hips and tried to look mad, but there was a sparkle in her eyes.
From Literature
The wet grass, a little long because— despite his promise—Jeremy had not mowed yet this week, sparkled in the moonlight.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
