Sparkle Meaning
/ˈspɑː.kəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA little spark; a scintillation.
nounBrilliance; luster.
Sentence Examples
I count the sparkle of constellations to foretell the future of my love.
Add a sparkle trail to a photo.
Whenever she moves her head, her earrings swing and sparkle.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The expensive diamond ring began to ____ under the bright lights of the store.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The morning dew on the spider's web began to ____ beautifully when the first rays of the sun hit it.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English sparkel, sparkle, sparcle, equivalent to spark + -le (diminutive suffix). In some modern uses deverbal from etymology 2 below.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"As sparckles from the Anduile vse to fly, / When heauie hammers on the wedge are swaid"
— 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 42:
"The lamp was shaded, and the fire was dim, when suddenly the log, which had burnt through, gave way; a shower of sparkles rose from the hearth, and a bright blaze illuminated the room, falling full on Francesca's face, as she bent over the patient."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XI, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 112:
"The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper."
— 1855–1858, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Reign of Philip the Second, King of Spain, volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Boston, Mass.: Phillips, Sampson, and Company, →OCLC:
"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."
— 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter V, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
"I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes."
— 1634, John Milton, “Arcades”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The expensive diamond ring began to ____ under the bright lights of the store.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The morning dew on the spider's web began to ____ beautifully when the first rays of the sun hit it.