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

Comedian Conan O'Brien will return to host the 98th Academy Awards after dazzling as host in 2025. —Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The Rubelli fabrics on walls and furniture positively glow, aided by dazzling Murano chandeliers that take your breath away. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Filmmakers from across the West African country and its sprawling diaspora have been cropping up across the international festival circuit in recent years, dazzling audiences with a unique cinema culture that is political and inventive yet accessible. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026

The singer-songwriter’s ninth album is an earnest, aching set carried by dazzling vocal performances and rich, chamber-folk production. —Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 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