sparkle
15 synonyms for sparkle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
twinkle
fizz
froth
glister
glisten
coruscate
effervesce
coruscation
scintillate
form bubbles
scintillation
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness.
“The sparkle of the diamond caught everyone's eye.”
2. verb
To shine with quick flashes of light.
“The lake sparkled under the afternoon sun.”
How to use sparkle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sparkle with excitement
eyes sparkle
Etymology
From Middle English sparkle, built from "spark" plus a diminutive ending, literally "a little spark."
Full origin of sparkle →Frequently asked questions
What does “sparkle” mean?
The word “sparkle” means a small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness. In plain terms, to shine with little flashes of light, or a lively, charming quality in someone's personality.
How do you pronounce “sparkle”?
“Sparkle” is pronounced SPAH-kuhl (/ˈspɑɹ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sparkle” in a sentence?
Here is “sparkle” used in a sentence: “The sparkle of the diamond caught everyone's eye.”
What part of speech is “sparkle”?
Depending on how it is used, “sparkle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sparkle” come from?
The word “sparkle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sparkle, built from "spark" plus a diminutive ending, literally "a little spark.".
Is “sparkle” a common word?
“Sparkle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sparkle” have?
“Sparkle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness.
