sparkle

[ spahr-kuhl ]
See synonyms for sparkle on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),spar·kled, spar·kling.
  1. to issue in or as if in little sparks, as fire or light: The candlelight sparkled in the crystal.

  2. to emit little sparks, as burning matter: The flames leaped and sparkled.

  1. to shine or glisten with little gleams of light, as a brilliant gem; glitter; coruscate.

  2. to effervesce, as wine.

  3. to be brilliant, lively, or vivacious.

verb (used with object),spar·kled, spar·kling.
  1. to cause to sparkle: moonlight sparkling the water;pleasure sparkling her eyes.

noun
  1. a little spark or fiery particle.

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

  1. brilliance, liveliness, or vivacity.

Origin of sparkle

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (noun and verb); see spark1, -le

synonym study For sparkle

3. See glisten.

Other words for sparkle

Other words from sparkle

  • non·spar·kling, adjective
  • outsparkle, 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. 2024

How to use sparkle in a sentence

  • That must mean a new silver dollar, which you know is very bright and sparkles in the light.

    Maid Sally | Harriet A. Cheever
  • Look at that trail of fire along the avenue; dost see yon line of sparkles, like a rocket's tail?

    Rookwood | William Harrison Ainsworth
  • My head swarmed as with sparkles, and a thousand emotions tore me, for I was at the age when we risk all on chances.

    Lazarre | Mary Hartwell Catherwood
  • The fountain from which such a man daily drinks, sparkles with the elements of all that is grateful and refreshing.

  • Gold is doubly gold in her presence; and even the diamond sparkles with a new brilliancy on her brow or sandal.

    Aurelian | William Ware

British Dictionary definitions for sparkle

sparkle

/ (ˈspɑːkəl) /


verb
  1. to issue or reflect or cause to issue or reflect bright points of light

  2. (intr) (of wine, mineral water, etc) to effervesce

  1. (intr) to be vivacious or witty

noun
  1. a point of light, spark, or gleam

  2. vivacity or wit

Origin of sparkle

1
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