sparkling
Americanadjective
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shining with flashing points or gleams of reflected light, as the ocean or a faceted gemstone.
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(of liquids) effervescent; carbonated; fizzy.
sparkling water.
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brilliant, lively, or vivacious.
sparkling conversation.
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That’s a good time to go through their gifts and spend a Saturday afternoon drinking sparkling wine or lemonade and writing thank-you cards.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
But on a bright chilly morning in a Toronto area -- one of three districts holding special elections next week to fill parliamentary seats -- some said Carney's sparkling credentials had not delivered tangible results.
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
The deal will eliminate tariffs on major EU exports such as cheeses, meat preparations, wine and sparkling wine, some fruits and vegetables including preparations, chocolate, and sugar confectionary.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
The deal means Italian-style sparkling wine made in Australia can still be sold as prosecco domestically though the name will be phased out over 10 years for exports.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
We left the house sparkling clean, just as we did every morning before heading off for school.
From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez
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.
