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

At this year’s Academy Awards, Berry, 59, dazzled in a custom mirror-and-crystallized-mesh gown by Christian Siriano covered with 7,000 beads. —Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

The 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade kicked off Wednesday night, dazzling the California harbor town with ships, inflatables and fireworks. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2025

On the wheel, the host dazzled the crowd with jumps, sprints, jump rope and other extreme tricks about 30 feet in the air. —Sacbee.com, 16 Dec. 2025

For festive fun, there's nothing like visiting Camden, South Carolina, during the holidays to admire dazzling festive displays, shop for unique holiday gifts, and watch local parades. —Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 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