dazzle

verb

daz·​zle ˈda-zəl 

dazzled; dazzling ˈdaz-liŋ 

ˈda-zə-liŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to lose clear vision especially from looking at bright light

2

a

: to shine brilliantly

… the woods dazzled whitely …

—Truman Capote

b

: to arouse admiration by an impressive display

She dazzles in her live concerts.

transitive verb

1

: to overpower with light

was dazzled by the camera flash

2

: to impress deeply, overpower, or confound with brilliance

dazzled us with her wit

dazzle noun

dazzler

ˈda-z(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• bedazzle
• blind
• daze

Examples of dazzle in a Sentence

Elvis always dazzled his audiences.

Visitors were dazzled by the mansion's ornate rooms.

She truly dazzles in her live concerts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gone was the spectacle – Norma Desmond’s decaying mansion, the dazzling costumes. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 9 June 2025

Or stock up on items for yourself, like an anti-fatigue mat to take the strain out of standing over a counter, and a set of dazzling crystal glasses for 66 percent off. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 7 June 2025

Dad may be dazzled by the 30-plus lagers from host North Park Beer and its guest breweries. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025

Two dazzling shows of comet dust will streak across the sky when the Arietids and Bootids meteor showers return in June, according to National Geographic. Stargazers can also seek out a brighter-than-usual Milky Way Galaxy and a variety of planets during cloudless nights. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of daze

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dazzle

• razzle-dazzle

Kids Definition

dazzle

verb

daz·​zle ˈdaz-əl 

dazzled; dazzling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to overpower with light

the desert sunlight dazzled us

2

: to impress greatly or confuse with brilliance

dazzled the crowds with fiery speeches

dazzle noun

dazzler

-(ə-)lər 

noun

dazzlingly

-(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb