spark
A very small sign of a feeling or quality, like hope, interest, or energy.
A very small but noticeable amount of a particular feeling, quality, or energy.
To make something start or grow, often suddenly, like a fight, debate, or change.
To cause something, especially a process, reaction, or event, to begin or develop, often suddenly or strongly.
A very small piece or flash of fire or light, like what comes from a fire or electricity.
A very small burning or glowing piece of matter, or a brief flash of light, especially from fire, metal, or electricity.
To give off small flashes of fire or light, like from wires or metal.
To produce small flashes of fire or light, especially as a result of friction, heat, or electricity.
A feeling of special romantic or sexual interest between two people.
A small but noticeable feeling of romantic or sexual attraction or excitement between people.
To make a person feel interested, excited, or creative about something.
To make someone suddenly feel interest, excitement, imagination, or creativity about something.
A person who is very lively and makes other people feel more active and happy.
A person who brings energy, enthusiasm, or excitement to a group or situation.
Informal British word for an electrician, a person who works with electrical systems.
Slang, mainly British: an electrician.
- Base: spark
- Plural: sparks
- Base: spark
- 3rd Person Singular: sparks
- Present Participle: sparking
- Past: sparked
a spark of hope
1a very small amount of hope
A very small feeling of hope that something good may happen.
- The latest test results gave the family a spark of hope.
- Even a spark of hope can keep people going in hard times.
- The message offered a spark of hope for peace talks.
spark a debate
1cause people to start debating
To make people start arguing or talking strongly for and against a topic.
- The film has sparked a debate about violence in media.
- Her comments sparked a debate on school uniforms.
- The study sparked a debate among scientists about the results.
spark a movement
1start a social or political movement
To cause a new social or political group or campaign to start.
- Her single blog post helped spark a global movement.
- The protest was small, but it sparked a movement for change.
- A few students sparked a movement that later changed the law.
spark joy
1cause someone to feel joy
To make someone suddenly feel joy or great happiness.
- If the item does not spark joy, you can give it away.
- The child’s smile sparked joy in everyone around her.
- Traveling to new places always sparks joy for him.
spark off
1cause something (often bad) to start
To cause something to start suddenly, especially trouble, argument, or strong action.
- The article sparked off a heated argument in the comments section.
- His careless remark sparked off a series of complaints from customers.
- The decision to close the factory sparked off protests in the town.
spark outrage
1cause strong public anger
To make many people feel very angry and shocked.
- The decision to cut benefits has sparked outrage across the country.
- The politician’s remarks sparked outrage on social media.
- The video sparked outrage when it was shared online.
spark someone's interest
1make someone feel interested
To make a person begin to feel interested in something.
- The trailer really sparked my interest in the movie.
- A school trip to the museum sparked her interest in science.
- The article’s title is designed to spark readers’ interest.
spark up
1start smoking or start a conversation
To start something like smoking a cigarette or starting a conversation, especially suddenly or casually.
- He sparked up a cigarette as soon as he stepped outside.
- She sat down next to me and sparked up a conversation.
- People were shy at first, but the host soon sparked up some lively chat.
spark up a conversation
1start talking with someone
To start talking with someone in a friendly way, often when you did not know them before.
- On the train he sparked up a conversation with the person next to him.
- It is easy to spark up a conversation if you ask simple questions.
- She can spark up a conversation with anyone she meets.
the spark that started it all
1initial cause of later events
The first action or event that began a long series of later events.
- That one conversation was the spark that started it all.
- A simple idea became the spark that started it all for the company.
- The photo went viral and became the spark that started it all.