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 of dazzle

• blind
• stun

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

The town of Dripping Springs is recognized as an International Dark Sky Community, meaning visitors can enjoy notably dazzling stars here. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

Barlow is younger than Brad Lambert, who dazzled us with his speed two Jets camps ago before scoring 90 points in 125 AHL games. —Murat Ates, New York Times, 27 May 2026

Four-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka dazzled the Roland Garros crowd with an eye-catching, two-part outfit ahead of her first-round French Open win over Germany’s Laura Siegemund. —Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 27 May 2026

Then my gaze lingers on the sailors who are steering the boat, their white uniforms dazzling in the sunlight. —Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

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