spark
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for spark, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use spark
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English spearca, from a Germanic root meaning "to scatter" or "to sprinkle," describing the way sparks fly outward.
Full origin of spark →Frequently asked questions
What does “spark” mean?
The word “spark” means a small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge. In plain terms, a tiny flash of fire or electricity, or — figuratively — a small sign of something that could grow, like an idea or attraction.
How do you pronounce “spark”?
“Spark” is pronounced SPAHK (/ˈspɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “spark” in a sentence?
Here is “spark” used in a sentence: “A single spark from the campfire set the dry grass alight.”
What part of speech is “spark”?
Depending on how it is used, “spark” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spark” come from?
The word “spark” comes from Old English. From Old English spearca, from a Germanic root meaning "to scatter" or "to sprinkle," describing the way sparks fly outward.
Is “spark” a common word?
“Spark” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “spark” have?
“Spark” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge.
What is the difference between a spark and a flame?
A spark is a single small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge, and it lasts only a moment. A flame is the sustained, visible burning of a fire. Figuratively, a spark is the small beginning that can grow into a flame.
What is the difference between spark and ignite?
Ignite means to set something burning or start it directly, while spark means to give off tiny burning particles or, figuratively, to act as the small trigger that sets something off. In figurative use they overlap, but spark stresses the initial trigger and ignite stresses the resulting blaze.