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sparkly

sparkly

30 2.3
Shining with many small bright points like glitter
  • adjective
  • /ˈspɑrkli/
translation icon : brillante
  • I would love to wear a purple sparkly cape, but I'm quite clumsy and definitely need some tips.

Now I'm going to take this really sparkly color.

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Examples

  • It's perfect because it's sparkly and leopard and looks perfect in a stack!

    Blog text (15)
  • Do you ever look up there and wonder what those sparkly dots are?

  • It's just like really pretty and sparkly and I just love it.

  • It's very, very pretty and sparkly and intense.

  • Now I'm going to take this really sparkly color.

  • And they were sparkly and gorgeous.

  • It's all shiny and sparkly now, and looks so pretty at night with the lights all off.

    Blog text (22)
  • They make your eyes look big and sparkly.

  • Today I have my bracelet on my left wrist; it's really sparkly crystals and catches the light.

    Blog text (2)
  • The sparkly lights on the Christmas tree twinkled beautifully in the dark.

Synonyms

bright
vssparkly
459 1.0

Full of strong light that makes a place easy to see

is about many small sparkling points rather than overall strong light
shiny
vssparkly
302 1.0

Bright and smooth because it reflects light

centres on many small sparkling points rather than broad surface shine
brilliant
vssparkly
30 3.0

Very bright and shining with strong light

is less about intense broad light and more about many small points
glittery
vssparkly
11 2.7

Shining with many small, bright points of light

describes the same many-point sparkle but not necessarily as decoration
lustrous
vssparkly
9 5.3

Shining with a soft, smooth glow like polished pearls

is narrower, focusing on many little glittering lights not just radiance
glowy
vssparkly
5 5.6

A soft bright look that seems to shine from within

is about external many-point glittering rather than inner soft radiance
sparkling
vssparkly
5 1.3

Shining with small bright points like light on snow

focuses on many small glittering points rather than a smooth glow
shimmery
vssparkly
3 5.0

A soft, flickering shine that gently catches the light

is brighter and shows clearer many-point glitter rather than soft wavering
glittering
vssparkly
2 3.0

Shining with many small bright points like stars

is equally about many small bright points rather than a smooth light
spangly
vssparkly
1 7.9

Covered with small shiny pieces like sequins that reflect light

describes the same sparkling look but often as attached decoration
sheeny
vssparkly
1 6.7

Having a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light

is more about many small glittering points than an even gloss
scintillating
vssparkly
1 8.2

Sparkling with small bright flashes of light

keeps the many-point sparkle but is often more intensely brilliant
lambent
vssparkly
  • Literature
1 9.6

A soft, gentle light that seems to move

is about many small sharp glittering points rather than a soft glow
glistering
vssparkly
  • Archaic
7.9

Shining with small bright points like light on water

is about ongoing many-point glittering rather than single brief flashes
glinting
vssparkly
3.6

Shines with small bright flashes of light

is steadier in many small glittering points rather than quick flashes
scintillant
vssparkly
  • Literature
9.9

Shining with many small bright flashes of light

is about continuous small glittering points rather than isolated sparks
coruscant
vssparkly
  • Literature
9.9

Shining with quick, bright flashes like sparks

describes many small glittering points without the sudden lightning intensity
aglitter
vssparkly
  • Literature
8.1

Shining with many small bright points of light

is the same clustered sparkle but may be more playful and simple
twinkling
vssparkly
3.3

Shining with small bright flashes of light

is more about many small steady glittering points than slow flicker
glistening
vssparkly
3.4

Shining with bright light, often because it is wet or smooth

is about many tiny glittering points rather than smooth reflective shine
gleamy
vssparkly
4.2

A smooth shiny surface that reflects light

focuses on many small glittering points instead of a general reflection
fulgurous
vssparkly
  • Literature
9.9

Very bright and flashing like lightning that makes a strong impression

keeps dazzling quality but the key is smaller, numerous glittering points
fulgid
vssparkly
  • Literature
9.9

Shining very brightly with small flashes of light

is focused on many small, gentler glittering points rather than brief bursts
beamy
vssparkly
  • UK
8.6

Shining with bright light or looking very happy

is about clustered small glittering lights rather than broad radiance

Antonyms

31 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

2 3.5

Not shiny and showing little reflection

How Shiny

dazzling
39 3.9
glittering
2 3.0
sparkly
30 2.3
shiny
302 1.0
dull
31 1.0

Surface Forms

sparkly positive
sparkler comparative
sparkliest superlative

Morphology

sparkly = spark (transparent) = spark + ly

Meaning is directly derived from 'spark' (small points of light) plus the adjectival '-ly' producing 'shining with small points of light'.

Etymology

Sparkly comes from the word spark ('a small flash of fire or light') plus the ending -ly ('like' or 'full of'). So something sparkly is 'full of little flashes of light', like glitter, twinkling snow, or shiny shoes.