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 floats and balloons that dazzle millions on Thanksgiving morning are the work of the talented artisans and specialists at Macy’s Parade Studio. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

Press Taylor dazzled with 27 points and six assists in a 20-point pasting for Farmington (5-0). —Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 26 Nov. 2025

We've all been taught not to show up somewhere empty-handed, but knowing how to dazzle with a host gift or housewarming present can inspire some serious thinking. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025

Jackson dazzles in other ways, too, such as the 4,000 Morgan silver dollars on display at the eponymous bar and inside the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, another requisite après-ski joint when visiting town. —Crai S Bower, Outside, 24 Nov. 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