sparkle

[ spahr-kuh l ]

/ ˈspɑr kəl /

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verb (used without object), spar·kled, spar·kling.

to issue in or as if in little sparks, as fire or light: The candlelight sparkled in the crystal.

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.

to effervesce, as wine.

to be brilliant, lively, or vivacious.

verb (used with object), spar·kled, spar·kling.

to cause to sparkle: moonlight sparkling the water; pleasure sparkling her eyes.

noun

a little spark or fiery particle.

a sparkling appearance, luster, or play of light: the sparkle of a diamond.

brilliance, liveliness, or vivacity.

Nearby words

Origin of sparkle

1150–1200; Middle English (noun and v.); see spark¹, -le

SYNONYMS FOR sparkle

3. See glisten. 8. glitter.

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Related formsnon·spar·kling, adjectiveout·spar·kle, verb (used with object), out·spar·kled, out·spar·kling.un·spark·ling, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sparkle

Sitting in that plastic pitcher, she said, the water seemed to sparkle.
Are Water Filters B.S.?|Michael Schulson|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Travelers are in danger of losing the “sparkle in their eyes” if they know too much in advance.
Do Michelin Stars Still Matter?|Brandon Presser|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he took the “sparkle” just before driving Shrimpton down a narrow winding mountain road.
Speed Read: 11 Juiciest Bits From Philip Norman’s Biography of Mick Jagger|The Daily Beast|October 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And with a fine dose of ribbon embroidery and a bit of sparkle, grunge was dressed up enough for a grownup.
Raf’s Ready-to-Wear Debut at Dior|Robin Givhan|September 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Watch the “Queen of Disco” shake and sparkle in this soulful rendition of the song.
The Best of Donna Summer, the ‘Queen of Disco’ (VIDEOS)|Brittany Jones-Cooper|May 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The sparkle of the flowers in question is, as his readers will perceive, nothing to the sparkle of Mr Burke's style.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 65, No. 402, April, 1849|Various
But come, we must be making ready for our walk, it is now half-past ten o'clock—Sparkle will be here presently.
Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II.|Pierce Egan
The rich men dress magnificently, and quite cover their jackets with gold, while the ladies delight to sparkle with jewels.
Far Off|Favell Lee Mortimer
Yamanatz saw the sparkle in Jack's eyes and laconically remarked, "Sabe?"
Chiquita, an American Novel|Merrill Tileston
Sparkle affected to laugh, appeared confused, and look'd down for a few moments, and they walk'd on in silence.
Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II.|Pierce Egan

British Dictionary definitions for sparkle

sparkle

/ (ˈspɑːkəl) /

verb

to issue or reflect or cause to issue or reflect bright points of light

(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

Word Origin for sparkle

C12 sparklen, frequentative of sparken to spark 1

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

Word Origin and History for sparkle

sparkle

c.1200, frequentative verb form of Middle English sparke (see spark). Of wines, from early 15c. Related: Sparkled; sparkling.

sparkle

early 14c., from sparkle (v.).

sparkle

verb (used without object), spar·kled, spar·kling.

verb (used with object), spar·kled, spar·kling.

noun

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Origin of sparkle

Examples from the Web for sparkle

sparkle

verb

noun

Word Origin for sparkle

sparkle

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