sparkling
SPAHK-lihng
Sparkling (adjective) means reflecting light in bright little flashes. Example: “The sparkling snow made the whole hillside glitter.”
adjective
1
Reflecting light in bright little flashes.
"The sparkling snow made the whole hillside glitter."
2
Of a drink, containing bubbles of dissolved carbon dioxide.
"They ordered a bottle of sparkling water with dinner."
3
Brilliant, witty, or full of energy.
"The critics praised her sparkling performance."
How to use sparkling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGlittering, fizzy, or full of wit and energy, depending on context.
Common pairings
sparkling wine
sparkling water
sparkling conversation
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The _____ snow made the whole hillside glitter.
Etymology
By surface analysis, formed from sparkle + -ing.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sparkling” mean?
The word “sparkling” means reflecting light in bright little flashes. In plain terms, glittering, fizzy, or full of wit and energy, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “sparkling”?
“Sparkling” is pronounced SPAHK-lihng (/ˈspɑɹkl̩ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sparkling” in a sentence?
Here is “sparkling” used in a sentence: “The sparkling snow made the whole hillside glitter.”
What is another word for “sparkling”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sparkling” include carbonated.
What is the opposite of “sparkling”?
The opposite of “sparkling” — its antonyms — are noncarbonated and still.
What part of speech is “sparkling”?
“Sparkling” is an adjective.
Is “sparkling” a common word?
“Sparkling” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sparkling” have?
“Sparkling” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: reflecting light in bright little flashes.
What is the difference between "sparkling" and "carbonated" for drinks?
"Sparkling" and "carbonated" both describe a drink containing dissolved carbon dioxide bubbles, but "sparkling" is the more common consumer-facing term, as in "sparkling water," while "carbonated" is used more in technical or labeling contexts.
What is the difference between "sparkling" and "still" when describing water or wine?
"Sparkling" indicates the drink contains bubbles from dissolved carbon dioxide, while "still" means it has no carbonation at all. The two terms are used as direct opposites on menus and labels.
What does it mean to describe a person's personality as "sparkling"?
When applied to personality or conversation, "sparkling" means brilliant, witty, or full of energy, as in a "sparkling wit" or "sparkling performance."
