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

There are enormous set pieces in the balconies, multiple performance spaces on different levels for actors and dazzling lighting. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

Thrill to the jousting knights’ epic combat and marvel at the dazzling talents of circus-style performers. —Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025

Audacious close control, dazzling trickery and intelligent passing, with stunning goals as the cherry on top, attracted attention, not least from Manchester City who signed him for €36.5m (£30.9m, $41.7m). —Steve Madeley, New York Times, 17 June 2025

However, with Venus dazzling before dawn and red Mars embracing blue Regulus, there can be no complaints about twilight’s delights. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 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