Showing results for "sparkling"

• present participle of sparkle.

sparkling

American  

[spahrk-ling] / ˈspɑrk lɪŋ /

adjective

1. shining with flashing points or gleams of reflected light, as the ocean or a faceted gemstone.

2. (of liquids) effervescent; carbonated; fizzy.

   sparkling water.

3. brilliant, lively, or vivacious.

   sparkling conversation.

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Etymology

Origin of sparkling

First recorded in 1350–1400; sparkl(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's sparkling shines or glints with many little lights. You might say that the starry night sky is sparkling. You can describe someone's eyes as sparkling, if they twinkle with light, or admire the sparkling lights on your friend's Christmas tree. Another way to use the adjective sparkling is to describe a carbonated beverage, like sparkling wine or sparkling cider. Any fizzy, bubbly drink is sparkling. People have used sparkling to describe wine and eyes since the fifteenth century, and it comes from the Old English spearca, "glowing or fiery particle thrown off."

Example Sentences

To mark the anniversary, he wore one of his original sparkling pink suits from the film.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2026

Her designs featured plasma, which are gas particles that have been charged, inserted into glass tubes, and attached to dresses to create sparkling and glowing looks.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

Together, these layers create an image dominated by red, white, and blue, with the X-ray data highlighting the sparkling glow of young stars forming within the nebula.

From Science Daily • Jul. 4, 2026

He wore an all-white suit in the video, while his wife, singer Ashanti, donned a sparkling gown.

From Barron's • Jul. 4, 2026

We were this majestic, elegant thing sitting solid, sparkling in the light.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant

Related Words

• animated
• bright
• brilliant
• dazzling
• glistening
• glittering
• lively
• scintillating
• shimmering
• shining
• spirited
• starry