sparkle
gb/spˈɑɹkəl/ us/spˈɑɹkəl/
B1
English
~ 9600
csillog, szikrázik, csillogás, sziporkázik, ragyog, remekel, elevenség, szikra, varázs, gyöngyözik, pezseg, csillámpor, csillám
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] sparkles (in/under [light])
Fresh snow sparkled in the morning sun.
A friss hó csillogott a reggeli napsütésben.
Her diamond ring sparkled as she raised her hand.
Gyémántgyűrűje csillogott, ahogy felemelte a kezét.
City lights sparkled on the surface of the river.
Tiny crystals sparkled on the top of the cake.
Learner examples
The stars sparkle in the clear night sky.
A csillagok csillognak a tiszta éjszakai égbolton.
Her necklace sparkled under the bright lights.
A nyaklánca csillogott az erős fényben.
The lake sparkled in the afternoon sun.
The clean glasses sparkled on the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *sparkle* when they only mean 'shine' in a general way. *Sparkle* suggests many small, bright points of light, not just a soft or steady light.
Meaning
shine with tiny bright flashes
Collocations
sparkle in the sunlight
|sparkle on the water
|sparkle under the lights
|stars sparkle
|eyes sparkle
|sparkle like diamonds
Synonyms
glitter (often suggests stronger or showier light, especially from metal or decorations)
|
twinkle (often used for soft, gentle flashes of light, especially stars or eyes)
Antonyms
dull (describes something that does not shine or reflect light)
Themes
nature
|visual
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to shine with many small points of light
To give off or reflect many small, bright flashes of light, like stars or jewels.
NOUN
B2
2
csillogás
B1
Usage pattern:
the sparkle of [something]
The moonlight gave the sea a silver sparkle.
A holdfény ezüstös csillogást adott a tengernek.
The sparkle of the snow made the whole valley look magical.
A hó csillogása varázslatossá tette az egész völgyet.
He polished the car until it had a mirror-like sparkle.
The ring caught the light and showed a sudden sparkle.
Learner examples
I love the sparkle of the stars at night.
Szeretem a csillagok éjszakai csillogását.
The new shoes had a nice sparkle.
Az új cipőknek szép csillogásuk volt.
Rain on the window had a soft sparkle in the sun.
Cleaning the glasses brought back their sparkle.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *sparkle* (the visual effect) with *sparkles* (small pieces of shiny material) or with *glitter* (the material itself).
Meaning
small bright flashes of light
Collocations
the sparkle of the snow
|the sparkle of the stars
|diamond sparkle
|extra sparkle
|with a little sparkle
|lose its sparkle
Synonyms
glitter (can refer both to the shining effect and to the material that produces it)
|
shine (more general; does not always imply many tiny points of light)
Antonyms
dullness (the state of not being bright or shiny)
Themes
visual
|nature
|fashion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
the look of many small lights on something that is shining
The effect of many small, bright points of light shining or reflecting from a surface.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] sparkles (with [quality])
Her conversation sparkled with sharp jokes and quick comebacks.
Éles poénoktól és gyors visszavágásoktól sziporkázott a társalgása.
The band really sparkled in the second half of the show.
A zenekar igazán remekelt a koncert második felében.
His writing sparkles with fresh ideas and surprising images.
The children sparkled with excitement as the show began.
Learner examples
The actor sparkled in his new movie.
A színész ragyogott az új filmjében.
Her eyes sparkled with joy when she saw the gift.
Örömtől ragyogott a szeme, amikor meglátta az ajándékot.
The party only started to sparkle after more people arrived.
His speech sparkled with funny stories.
Common mistake:
Some learners think *sparkle* in this sense can take a direct object (e.g. *He sparkled the party*). Instead, say *He made the party sparkle* or *He added sparkle to the party.*
Meaning
be lively, bright, or witty
Collocations
sparkle with energy
|sparkle with intelligence
|sparkle with laughter
|sparkle on stage
|sparkle in conversation
|sparkle with wit
Synonyms
shine (a broader word; can mean to be very good at something, not only lively or witty)
|
dazzle (suggests impressing people very strongly, often more intense than *sparkle*)
Antonyms
drag (informal; describes something slow or boring that feels heavy and without energy)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|entertainment
Definition
to be very full of life, energy, or clever ideas
To be very lively, interesting, or clever in a way that is easy to notice, especially in speech, performance, or personality.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
[something] has/lacks sparkle
The lecture was clear but lacked any real sparkle.
Az előadás világos volt, de hiányzott belőle az igazi szikra.
Her performance brought a new sparkle to the old play.
Az alakítása új elevenséget vitt a régi színdarabba.
The second season has all the sparkle the first one was missing.
A little music would add some sparkle to this event.
Learner examples
The movie was okay, but it had no sparkle.
A film rendben volt, de nem volt benne semmi szikra.
Her smile gives the room a special sparkle.
A mosolya különleges varázst ad a szobának.
Music can bring sparkle to a boring party.
The show had more sparkle than I expected.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this abstract noun sense with the physical light sense. In sentences about events, talks, or performances, *sparkle* usually means liveliness, not actual light.
Meaning
liveliness or exciting quality
Collocations
add some sparkle
|full of sparkle
|a bit of sparkle
|lacked sparkle
|without sparkle
|bring back the sparkle
Synonyms
vitality (more formal; focuses on strong life and energy, not always on being entertaining)
|
spark (very close in meaning; may sound a bit more informal or emotional)
Antonyms
dullness (describes something boring or without interest or energy)
Themes
emotions
|entertainment
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
a special energy or fun quality that makes something interesting
A bright, lively, or exciting quality that makes a person, event, or piece of work interesting or enjoyable.
VERB
B2
5
gyöngyözik
B2
pezseg
B1
Usage pattern:
[drink] sparkles in [container]
The champagne sparkled in their tall glasses.
A pezsgő gyöngyözött a magas poharakban.
Mineral water sparkled softly as she poured it.
Az ásványvíz finoman gyöngyözött, ahogy töltötte.
The cider sparkled with fine, steady bubbles.
The drink no longer sparkled after sitting out all night.
Learner examples
The wine sparkled in the glass.
A bor gyöngyözött a pohárban.
I like water that sparkles a little.
Szeretem az enyhén szénsavas vizet.
The soda did not sparkle anymore because it was old.
Cold champagne sparkled on my tongue.
Common mistake:
Learners often describe fizzy drinks only as *gas* or *with gas*. In English, *sparkling* or *sparkle* is more natural for this kind of drink.
Meaning
of drinks, to be fizzy
Collocations
sparkled in the glass
|lightly sparkling water
|sparkling wine
|champagne sparkling
|sparkled on his tongue
|sparkle with bubbles
Synonyms
fizz (focuses more on the sound and feel of the bubbles than on the visual effect)
Antonyms
go flat (describes a drink losing its bubbles and becoming still)
Themes
food
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
to have many small bubbles, like soda or sparkling wine
Of a drink, to contain many small bubbles that rise and often catch the light, making it look and feel fizzy.
NOUN
C1
6
csillámpor
B2
csillám
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] puts sparkles on [something]
Her shoes were covered in pink sparkles.
A cipőit rózsaszín csillámpor borította.
He found sparkles all over the floor after the craft project.
A kézműves foglalkozás után mindenütt csillámokat talált a padlón.
The dress had tiny silver sparkles sewn into the fabric.
She brushed the last sparkles off her hands.
Learner examples
There are blue sparkles on her nails.
Kék csillámok vannak a körmein.
The kids put sparkles on the paper stars.
A gyerekek csillámport szórtak a papírcsillagokra.
I found sparkles on my shirt after the party.
She likes clothes with a lot of sparkles.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only *glitter* for the material. *Sparkles* is also common in everyday speech, especially with children or fashion items.
Meaning
tiny shiny decorative pieces
Collocations
covered in sparkles
|silver sparkles
|tiny sparkles
|sparkles on her dress
|sparkles in the craft box
|shake off the sparkles
Synonyms
glitter (the most common word for this material; *sparkles* can sound more childlike or playful)
Antonyms
plainness (describes something with no decoration or shine)
Themes
fashion
|art
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
|clothing
|daily_life
Definition
very small shiny pieces used to make things look pretty, usually called *sparkles*
Very small pieces of shiny material used to decorate clothes, crafts, or objects, often sticking to surfaces easily; usually used in the plural.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sparkle
IPA
GB/spˈɑɹkəl/
US/spˈɑɹkəl/
Syllables & stress
sparkle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sparkle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sparkle
- Plural: sparkle, sparkles
Verb
- Base: sparkle
- 3rd Person Singular: sparkles
- Present Participle: sparkling
- Past: sparkled
Word family
Forms
sparkles
noun
sparkling
verb
sparkled
verb
Core family
sparkly
adjective
Related words
spark
noun B2
sparkler
noun
Expressions
a sparkle in someone's eye
1/ə spˈɑɹkəl ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz ˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
bright look showing emotion
a small bright look in a person's eye that shows a strong feeling, like joy, love, or a secret idea
Examples
- There was a sparkle in his eye when he talked about the trip.
- She listened with a sparkle in her eye, clearly enjoying the story.
add sparkle to
1/ˈæd spˈɑɹkəl tə/
fixed phrase
make something more lively
to make something more fun, interesting, or exciting
Examples
- Her stories always add sparkle to our meetings.
- Some good music would add sparkle to this quiet party.
lose its sparkle
1/lˈuz ˈɪts spˈɑɹkəl/
fixed phrase
stop being lively or exciting
to become less fun, less interesting, or less attractive than before
Examples
- The show has lost its sparkle in the latest season.
- The job was exciting at first, but it slowly lost its sparkle.
sparkle with
1/spˈɑɹkəl wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
be full of visible quality
to have a lot of a clear quality, such as energy, joy, or intelligence
Examples
- Her voice sparkled with excitement as she told the news.
- The article sparkles with fresh ideas and examples.