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View synonyms for

spark

1

[ spahrk ]

noun

  1. an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.
  2. Also called sparkover. Electricity.
    1. the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.
    2. the discharge itself.
    3. any electric arc of relatively small energy content.
    4. the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.
  3. anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.
  4. a small amount or trace of something.

    Synonyms: , ,

  5. a trace of life or vitality.
  6. sparks, (used with a singular verb) Slang. a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.
  7. (usually initial capital letter) a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.


verb (used without object)

  1. to emit or produce sparks.
  2. to issue as or like sparks.
  3. to send forth gleams or flashes.
  4. (of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.

verb (used with object)

  1. to kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.):

    These bright students have sparked her enthusiasm for teaching. The arrival of the piano player really sparked the party.

spark

2

[ spahrk ]

noun

  1. an elegant or foppish young man.
  2. a beau, lover, or suitor.
  3. a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.

verb (used with object)

  1. to woo; court.

verb (used without object)

  1. to engage in courtship; woo.

Spark

3

[ spahrk ]

noun

  1. Muriel (Sarah) (Camberg), 1918–2006, British novelist and writer, born in Scotland.

Spark

1

/ ɑː /

noun

  1. SparkMuriel (Sarah), Dame19182006FBritishWRITING: novelistWRITING: writer Dame Muriel ( Sarah ). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Memento Mori (1959), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961), The Takeover (1976), A Far Cry from Kensington (1988), Symposium (1990), and The Finishing School (2004)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spark

2

/ ɑː /

noun

  1. a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces
    1. a momentary flash of light accompanied by a sharp crackling noise, produced by a sudden electrical discharge through the air or some other insulating medium between two points
    2. the electrical discharge itself
    3. ( as modifier )

      a spark gap

  2. anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite
  3. a trace or hint

    she doesn't show a spark of interest

  4. vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour
  5. a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. intr to give off sparks
  2. intr (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark
  3. troften foll byoff to kindle, excite, or animate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spark

3

/ ɑː /

noun

  1. a fashionable or gallant young man
  2. bright spark ironic.
    a person who appears clever or witty

    some bright spark left the papers next to the open window

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. rare.
    to woo (a person)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ貹쾱, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • 貹l adjective
  • 貹l·ly adverb
  • 貹l adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spark1

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun spark(e), sparc(k), Old English spearca, spærca, sperca; cognate with Middle Dutch sparcke, spercke, Middle Low German sparke; the verb is derivative of the noun

Origin of spark2

First recorded in 1575–85; figurative use of spark 1none, or from Old Norse sparkr “quick, lively, brisk”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spark1

Old English spearca; related to Middle Low German sparke, Middle Dutch spranke, Lettish spirgsti cinders, Latin spargere to strew

Origin of spark2

C16 (in the sense: beautiful or witty woman): perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sparkr vivacious
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Idioms and Phrases

see make the sparks fly .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The decades-long conflict has intensified since the start of the year when M23 staged an unprecedented offensive, seizing Goma and Bukavu - eastern Congo's two largest cities - and sparking fears of a wider regional war.

From

The threat of a trade war sparked by President Trump’s tariffs has played a role in the state’s license plate quandary.

From

Lauren’s celebrity and the circumstances of the shooting have sparked debate about whether she was justified to defend her property.

From

They argued that he carried out Mr Thompson's murder "to amplify an ideological message" and spark resistance to the health insurance industry.

From

Yet this isn't the time for celebration either - that will have to wait until after the funeral, when the conclave will spark the usual frenzy of excitement, intrigue and inevitable speculation.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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