sparkle
SPAH-kuhl
Sparkle (noun) means a small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness. Example: “The sparkle of the diamond caught everyone's eye.”
noun
1
A small flash of light, or a general quality of shining brightness.
"The sparkle of the diamond caught everyone's eye."
2
Liveliness or charm in a person's manner.
"Her performance had real sparkle and energy."
verb
1
To shine with quick flashes of light.
"The lake sparkled under the afternoon sun."
"Her eyes sparkled with excitement."
How to use sparkle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shine with little flashes of light, or a lively, charming quality in someone's personality.
Common pairings
sparkle with excitement
eyes sparkle
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Word forms
- Plural
- sparkles
- Third person singular
- sparkles
- Past tense
- sparkled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the diamond caught everyone's eye.
Etymology
From Middle English sparkle, built from "spark" plus a diminutive ending, literally "a little spark."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
