sparkle

verb spar·kle \ ˈspär-kəl \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: sparkle in a Sentence

Definition of sparkle

sparkled; sparkling play \ˈspär-k(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 a : to throw out sparks

b : to give off or reflect bright moving points of light

c : to perform brilliantly

2 : effervesce

wine that sparkles

3 : to become lively or animated

the dialogue sparkles with wit

eyes sparkling with anger

transitive verb

: to cause to glitter or shine

—

sparkly

play \ˈspär-k(ə-)lē\ adjective

See sparkle defined for English-language learners

See sparkle defined for kids

Examples of sparkle in a Sentence

The dancers sparkled on stage.
Her eyes sparkled with pride.

Recent Examples of sparkle from the Web

In addition to cocktails, Vernick Fish’s bar will concentrate on sparkling and white wines.

— michael klein, Philly.com, "Vernick Fish will open at Four Seasons at Comcast tower," 23 May 2018
The air will become sweet again, and the stars will sparkle, and your body will remember how to move easily through these days.

— claire comstock-gay, The Cut, "Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of May 14," 14 May 2018
The Downtown Steakhouse is the glitzy location, with sparkling chandeliers and an Art Deco-style mural.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Jeff Ruby culinary experience: Menus beyond steaks," 8 May 2018
Friday is dedicated to Chocolate Decadence (which includes more than 30 still, sparkling and dessert wines) and Saturday is the Pechanga Wine Festival (where spirits, food and dessert samplings will also be served).

— michele parente, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pechanga festival is a chocolate lovers' paradise," 8 Mar. 2018
Hayes learned that the contractor had used one room for tango dancing on the side, which explained its shiny wood floors, red curtains staple-gunned to the wall and sparkling chandeliers overhead.

— carolyne zinko, San Francisco Chronicle, "Pilates transforms a life — and MNT Studio in S.F.," 22 Jan. 2018
Through the final five games of 2015 and the first nine of 2016, Jake Rudock and Wilton Speight sparkled: 3,627 yards, 29 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 65.5 completion rate.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "If Michigan QBs return to efficiency, Jim Harbaugh's offense can reignite," 30 May 2018
In addition to those new seats, fancy suites and cosmetic additions, Petrino’s program got something out of this stadium expansion too – sparkling new facilities in the complex behind the new section.

— gentry estes, The Courier-Journal, "Football stadium renovation is a gamechanger for Louisville's program," 29 May 2018
In three trips last week, Perch sparkled both as a skyline lunch spot and as an after-work bistro.

— bud kennedy, star-telegram, "This new high-rise cafe in Fort Worth has a great view. And surprise: It's not expensive," 28 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sparkle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sparkle

Middle English, frequentative of sparken to spark

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

sparkle Synonyms

Synonyms

coruscate, flame, flash, glance, gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glister, glitter, luster (or lustre), scintillate, shimmer, spangle, twinkle, wink, winkle;

Related Words

beam, radiate, shine;

bedazzle, blind, daze, dazzle;

blaze, burn, flare, glare, glow;

Synonym Discussion of sparkle

flash, gleam, glint, sparkle, glitter, glisten, glimmer, shimmer mean to send forth light. flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

- lightning flashed

gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

- lights gleamed in the valley

glint implies a cold glancing light.

- glinting steel

sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

- the sparkling waters

glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

- glittering diamonds

glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

- glistening wet sidewalk

glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

- a distant glimmering light

shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

- a shimmering satin dress

sparkle

noun

Definition of sparkle

1 : a little spark : scintillation

2 : the quality of sparkling

3 a : animation, liveliness

b : the quality or state of being effervescent

See sparkle defined for English-language learners

Examples of sparkle in a Sentence

The sun reflected off the water in bright sparkles of light.
He caught the sparkle of her diamond out of the corner of his eye.
a performance full of sparkle and originality
the sparkle in her eyes

Recent Examples of sparkle from the Web

Ariana Grande‘s performance at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Thursday night in New York City had a little — okay, a lot — of extra sparkle thanks to her dazzling 3-carat engagement ring from fiancé Pete Davidson.

— jillian ruffo, PEOPLE.com, "Ariana Grande's Engagement Ring from Pete Davidson Lights Up the Stage: See New Photos!," 15 June 2018
But otherwise Ocean’s 8 is full of diamonds, and lacking in sparkle.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "In Ocean’s 8, Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend," 12 June 2018
Given the strong print, Mulligan was wise to take a restrained approach to accessories, adding no major sparkle save for a knowing, confident smile.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Carey Mulligan Makes the Case for Modest Style at the Tony Awards," 11 June 2018
All this sparkle brought to you by @Prabalgurung and @Cartier.

— marina liao, Marie Claire, "Mindy Kaling Had to be Sewn Into Her Dress Moments Before The 'Ocean's 8' Premiere," 6 June 2018
In a particularly cruel trick, some options that appeared sparkle-free in the pan somehow managed to leave teeny flecks of shine on my face.

— erika stalder, refinery29.com, "The Bronzer That Finally Made Me Believe In Bronzer," 30 May 2018
Maumee Bait & Tackle reports that a black floating jig and a green PowerBait plastic tail have been working, as well as a yellow jig and a green sparkle tail and a purple jig with a purple tail.

— cleveland.com, "Fishing Report for March 30: Rain, wind put a damper on local fishing," 30 Mar. 2018
The wind howls and low clouds worry the rooftops, but inside the Edison bulbs glow and the wineglasses sparkle and the test kitchen is as snug and clean as a catalog layout.

— ben lowy, Smithsonian, "The Lionfish Have Invaded, But a Ragtag Army of Divers and Chefs Are Fighting Back," 23 May 2018
But beneath the sparkle and the canapés, the networks are also navigating a serious advertising upheaval.

— New York Times, "Why Traditional TV Is in Trouble," 13 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of sparkle

Middle English, diminutive of sparke

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

SPARKLE Defined for English Language Learners

sparkle

verb

Definition of sparkle for English Language Learners

: to produce small flashes of light
: to perform very well
: to be or become bright and lively

sparkle

noun

Definition of sparkle for English Language Learners

: a small flash of bright light
: a lively quality

SPARKLE Defined for Kids

sparkle

verb spar·kle \ ˈspär-kəl \

Definition of sparkle for Students

sparkled; sparkling

1 : to give off small flashes of light

The diamond sparkled.

2 : to be lively or bright

The conversation sparkled.

His eyes sparkled.

sparkle

noun

Definition of sparkle for Students

1 : a little flash of light

sparkles of red light

2 : the quality of being bright or giving off small flashes of light

the sparkle of a diamond

the sparkle of her eyes

Learn More about sparkle

See words that rhyme with sparkle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sparkle Spanish Central: Translation of sparkle Nglish: Translation of sparkle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sparkle for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

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sparkle

Definition of sparkle

sparkly

Examples of sparkle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sparkle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sparkle

sparkle Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of sparkle

sparkle

Definition of sparkle

Examples of sparkle in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sparkle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of sparkle

SPARKLE Defined for English Language Learners

sparkle

Definition of sparkle for English Language Learners

sparkle

Definition of sparkle for English Language Learners

SPARKLE Defined for Kids

sparkle

Definition of sparkle for Students

sparkle

Definition of sparkle for Students

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