dazzle

1 of 2

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

dazzler

2 of 2

noun

daz·​zler ˈda-z(ə-)lər 

plural -s

: one that dazzles

that dress is a dazzler

Synonyms of dazzle

Verb

• blind
• stun

Examples of dazzle in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Even the strong Patagonian wind cannot topple this tribute, inaugurated on June 16 during Argentina’s World Cup debut, when the team once again dazzled under Messi, who sealed the victory over Algeria after scoring three goals. —ABC News, 23 June 2026

Built to endure rather than to dazzle. —Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

This lacecap hydrangea dazzles with electric blue flowers atop compact, sturdy stems that resist flopping in the garden. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026

Glistening in the sun from about 1,000 feet away, the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy dazzled attendees, arriving in New York after a 53-year title drought. —Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of daze

First Known Use

Verb

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