sparkle
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.”
How to use sparkle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shine with little flashes of light, or a lively, charming quality in someone's personality.
Word forms
sparkled past tense, sparkles plural, sparkles singular
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
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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.