Sparkle

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈspɑːkl/
• US IPA: /ˈspɑɹkl/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)kÉ™l
• Homophones: SPARQL

Origin

Middle English, from sparken + -le

Full definition of sparkle

Noun

1. A little spark; a scintillation.
• SpenserAs sparkles from the anvil rise,
  When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed.
• PrescottThe shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper.
2. Brilliance; luster.the sparkle of a diamond.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle.
• A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling. — Chaucer.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 5, Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.
2. (intransitive) To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash.
• MiltonI see bright honour sparkle through your eyes.
3. (intransitive) To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as, sparkling wine.
4. (transitive) To emit in the form or likeness of sparks.
• Did sparkle forth great light. — Spenser
5. (transitive, obsolete) To disperse.
• The Landgrave hath sparkled his army without any further enterprise. — State Papers.
6. (transitive, obsolete) To scatter on or over.

Synonyms

• (glisten, flash) shine, glisten, scintillate, radiate, coruscate, glitter, twinkle