sparkle

verb

spar·kle | \ˈspär-kəl

sparkled; sparkling\ˈspär-k(ə-)liŋ

Definition of sparkle

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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

sparkle

noun

Definition of sparkle (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a little spark : scintillation

2 : the quality of sparkling

3a : animation, liveliness

b : the quality or state of being effervescent

Other Words from sparkle Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sparkle

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for sparkle

Verb

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

Examples of sparkle in a Sentence

Verb

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

Noun

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 on the Web: Verb

Refreshments included even more popcorn from Popcornopolis, LaCroix sparkling water and juice boxes (alcoholic drinks for the adults!), plus sliders, pizza, salad, macaroni and cheese and fruit cups from the Kids World café. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "The Greatest Bash on Earth! Jessica Hall Throws a Circus-Themed Birthday Party for Her Daughter," 13 June 2018 Two PepsiCo Beverage Stations will serve bubly sparkling water and Pure Leaf Tea along with sodas and, LifeWTR and bubly sparkling water. — Kathy Flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Terrapin India Pale Ales added to Summerfest's beer lineup," 17 May 2018 Midway through her performance during the ladies’ single free skate program that aired Thursday night, Méité pulled back a portion of her black skirt to reveal a bedazzled, sparkling one underneath. — Jennifer Calfas, Time, "This French Figure Skater Made a Surprising Costume Change Midway Through Her Olympic Performance," 23 Feb. 2018 The wines are listed by wine style — sparkling followed by white and red — in ascending order, according to price. — Michael Austin, chicagotribune.com, "Explore Michigan's diverse wine scene, one of the country's most exciting developing regions," 5 July 2018 The light was likely sparkling on her padparadscha sapphire rock, surrounded by diamonds. — Alex Warner, Marie Claire, "Can You Guess Which Engagement Ring Belongs to Which Celebrity?," 21 May 2018 Their Awesome Sauce lotion and Hair Slay hair detangler are there to keep anyone sparkling even after the sun is down. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Glitter Sunscreen Actually Exists, So You Can Protect Your Skin AND Keep It Sparkly," 9 Apr. 2018 To prepare a beverage, combine 2 ounces syrup and 8 ounces sparkling or still water in a glass. — San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Pineapple Squash drink," 3 July 2018 Many of these clothes, including Zac Posen’s sparkling crimson crinoline gown, originally worn by Naomi Campbell in his Fall 2015 collection, and Sarah Burton’s caged beehive gown from Spring 2013, take up a lot of room! — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "The Met Goes Meta: How Hamish Bowles Created the Costume Institute Exhibition in Ocean’s 8," 7 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Because for a side that includes the electric 19-year-old Kylian Mbappé and the supremely gifted Paul Pogba alongside Griezmann, there has been a distinct lack of sparkle about them. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "France Puts It All Together to Advance to World Cup Semifinals," 6 July 2018 Claire tweaked her Gypsy Rose design, adding a layer of sparkles under the flowy dress's embroidery to boost its glam factor — and a back slit to make sure Linda could easily cartwheel without ripping her gown, the designer wrote in a blog post. — Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "Property Brothers Fans, Bet You Didn't Notice This About Linda Phan's Wedding Dress," 1 June 2018 Take this glittering creation from Leibish, for example, which offers major sparkle thanks to the eye-catching emerald stone. — Jessica Vince, Harper's BAZAAR, "7 pieces of coloured gemstone jewellery every woman should own," 4 Dec. 2017 The kombucha adds a light sparkle and cuts the sweetness. — Jeanmarie Brownson, chicagotribune.com, "Pack up a picnic of Spanish tapas to feed a crowd," 3 July 2018 Perhaps the new team is hoping a little Meghan Markle sparkle will rub off? — Lindsay Weinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Zosia Mamet, Evan Jonigkeit Model J. Crew's New Political Tees," 31 May 2018 But nothing compares to the magic of seeing an Old World city, a-sparkle after dark, from the deck of a riverboat. — BostonGlobe.com, "Take me to the river: The other (less blackjack, more bicycling) side of cruising," 8 Apr. 2018 The tags tinkle in the wind and give the dog a permanent sparkle. — Mary Forgione, latimes.com, "Yeah, there's a giant bunny in that vineyard — no foolin' — and 9 animals, vegetables and antlers you'll want to stop and see," 1 Apr. 2018 Accessories were kept polished and stylish with taupe suede Manolo Blahniks grounding the look and simple diamond stud Adina Reyter earrings for subtle sparkle. — Edward Barsamian, Vogue, "Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Nods to the Fourth of July By Wearing This American Label," 5 July 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.