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

Hopefully there, the kinks can be worked out to bring the McAnuff dazzle the show needs. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024

The twin ships performed dazzling science, returning some of the best pictures ever taken of the worlds and discovering moons and rings never before seen. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 28 May 2024

The emotional throughline resonates, though Top Gun: Maverick’s best weapon is director Joseph Kosinski’s eye (and ear) for dazzling aerial sequences. —Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 14 May 2024

The actress, who presented the makeup artist of the year award to Rachel Goodwin at the ceremony, dazzled on the red carpet in a colorful Oscar de la Renta minidress. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

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