sparkle

verb

spar·​kle ˈspär-kəl 

sparkled; sparkling 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

Synonyms of sparkle

• glow
• shine
• spark
• flash

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of sparkle in a Sentence

The dancers sparkled on stage.

Her eyes sparkled with pride.

Recent Examples on the Web

Set on a plaza shaped like a massive record player, the sparkling glass pyramid of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame stands out in Cleveland’s industrial skyline. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

From there, fresh grapefruit juice in lieu of lime adds brightness, while mineral water or sparkling water keeps things light and refreshing. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

Opt for sparkling water instead. —Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

This week, Jennifer Lopez stepped up her style game for the New York City premiere of her new Netflix romantic comedy Office Romance, and Kerry Washington sparkled in gold at the 2026 Gotham TV Awards — and that's just the beginning. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, frequentative of sparken to spark

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Rhymes for sparkle

• matriarchal
• patriarchal

Kids Definition

sparkle

1 of 2 verb

spar·​kle ˈspär-kəl 

sparkled; sparkling -k(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to throw out sparks

b

: to give off small flashes of light

the diamond sparkled

2

: to do or play very well

sparkled at shortstop

3

: effervesce sense 1

sparkling wine

4

: to become lively or active

the conversation sparkled

sparkle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a little flash of light

2

: the quality of sparkling

3

: the quality or state of being effervescent