First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1sparkle
verb spar·kle \ˈspär-kəl\
: to produce small flashes of light
: to perform very well
: to be or become bright and lively
spar·kledspar·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of SPARKLE
intransitive verb
1
a : to throw out sparks b : to give off or reflect bright moving points of light c : to perform brilliantly
2
: effervesce <wine that sparkles>
3
: to become lively or animated <the dialogue sparkles with wit> <eyes sparkling with anger>
transitive verb
: to cause to glitter or shine
— spar·kly \-k(ə-)lē\ adjective
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Origin of SPARKLE
Middle English, frequentative of sparken to spark
Related to SPARKLE
- Synonyms
- scintillate, spark
Synonym Discussion of SPARKLE
flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light <lightning flashed>. gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background <lights gleamed in the valley>. glint implies a cold glancing light <glinting steel>. sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light <the sparkling waters>. glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming <glittering diamonds>. glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface <glistening wet sidewalk>. glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam <a distant glimmering light>. shimmer means shining with a wavering light <a shimmering satin dress>.
Rhymes with SPARKLE
2sparkle
noun
: a small flash of bright light
: a lively quality
Full Definition of SPARKLE
1
: a little spark : scintillation
2
: the quality of sparkling
3
a : animation, liveliness b : the quality or state of being effervescent
See sparkle defined for English-language learners
Origin of SPARKLE
Middle English, diminutive of sparke
First Known Use: 14th century
SPARKLE Defined for Kids
1sparkle
verb spar·kle \ˈspär-kəl\
spar·kledspar·kling
Definition of SPARKLE for Kids
1
: to give off small flashes of light <The diamond sparkled.>
2
: to be lively or bright <The conversation sparkled.> <His eyes sparkled.>
2sparkle
noun
Definition of SPARKLE for Kids
1
: a little flash of light <sparkles of red light>
2
: the quality of being bright or giving off small flashes of light <the sparkle of a diamond> <the sparkle of her eyes>
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