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.
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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
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(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.
There was plenty of their traditional hard edge in a tussle of a game, but also moments of 24-carat sparkle.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
Their favorite celebrities always look glowy, mattified and poreless, fans said, with an extra sparkle in their eyes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026
Nicole Reber, an L.A.-based real estate agent, was giving “’90s sparkle princess,” coupling a pair of Chanel loafers with a vintage Escada jacket that’s “highly underrated.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026
Signet Jewelers stock could sparkle with spending expected to hit a record $29.1 billion, including $7 billion on jewelry purchases.
From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026
Mother merely stood there before him while all the sparkle drained out of her face.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
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.
