spark
SPAHK
Spark (noun) means a small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge. Example: “Sparks flew from the metal as the workman cut through the pipe.”
noun
1
A small glowing particle thrown off by fire, friction, or an electrical discharge.
"Sparks flew from the metal as the workman cut through the pipe."
"A tiny spark jumped between the plug and the socket."
"A single spark from the campfire set the dry grass alight."
2
A small trace of a feeling or quality that could grow into something bigger.
"The teacher noticed a spark of curiosity in the quiet boy at the back."
"There was a spark of hope in her voice."
"The two of them had an obvious spark from their very first date."
verb
1
To trigger or set off, especially an argument, idea, or reaction.
"A visit to the museum sparked her lifelong interest in ancient history."
"The rumour sparked panic among the staff before the manager explained everything."
"The comment sparked a heated debate online."
2
To give off small bursts of electrical discharge.
"The old cable began to spark whenever the wind blew it against the wall."
"If the toaster sparks again, unplug it and call an electrician."
"The faulty wire sparked every time the switch was flipped."
How to use spark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny flash of fire or electricity, or — figuratively — a small sign of something that could grow, like an idea or attraction.
Common pairings
spark an idea
spark controversy
spark of interest
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Word forms
- Plural
- sparks
- Third person singular
- sparks
- Past tense
- sparked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ flew from the metal as the workman cut through the pipe.
Etymology
From Old English spearca, from a Germanic root meaning "to scatter" or "to sprinkle," describing the way sparks fly outward.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for spark
See all rhymes for 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.
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