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to bespangle

to bespangle

9.9
To cover or decorate something with small shiny things
  • verb
  • /bɪˈspæŋɡəl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : decorar
  • For the holiday party, they bespangled the venue with shimmering decorations that caught everyone's eye.

Examples

  • The artist decided to bespangle the dress with tiny jewels to make it sparkle under the lights.

  • At age ten, he reported that he had seen a tree filled with angels, their "bright angelic wings bespangling every bough like stars."

    Academic text (1994)
  • Mrs. Nair, lipsticked, bespangled, tikkaed, hennaed, and beaming at her husband, said nothing, but didn't appear to think he was headed away from home.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Today, most colleges and universities still decorate their catalogues with titles, which, in James's words, "bespangle the page as if they were sprinkled over it from a pepper caster," and it is not likely that their titular ambitions will wane.

    Academic text (1990)
  • She loves to bespangle her artwork with glitter to give it a magical effect.

Synonyms

to decorate
vsto bespangle
226 1.9

To make something look nicer by adding paint, ornaments, or other items

is specifically about adding many small shiny objects not any ornament
to adorn
vsto bespangle
45 4.9

To put decorations on something to make it look more beautiful

focuses only on small glittering pieces not general decorative additions
to emblazon
vsto bespangle
16 7.5

Decorate something with a bright, noticeable symbol or design

uses small glittering pieces rather than bold designs or strong colors
to encrust
vsto bespangle
12 6.7

To cover something thickly with small shiny objects like jewels

does not require thick or lavish surface covering
to embellish
vsto bespangle
10 6.3

To make something more beautiful by adding decorative details

is limited to adding many small shiny pieces rather than any detail
to bejewel
vsto bespangle
5 8.2

To decorate something with jewels or precious stones

relies on attaching small glittering pieces rather than valuable gems
to gild
vsto bespangle
5 7.0

Cover an object with a thin layer of gold or metal that looks like gold

attaches small shiny bits instead of a continuous gold coating
to bedeck
vsto bespangle
4 7.8

To put fancy decorations like flowers or lights on something to make it look special

is simpler and adds small shiny pieces without showy style
to ornament
vsto bespangle
4 3.7

To add decorations to something to make it look nicer

means adding small glittering objects specifically not general decorative items
to bedazzle
vsto bespangle
3 5.1

Add bright, shiny pieces to clothes or things to attract attention

does not aim to impress or draw attention
to spangle
vsto bespangle
1 7.6

To cover something with small shiny pieces to make it sparkle

is less focused on creating a glittering effect
to tinsel
vsto bespangle
1 4.1

To decorate with thin shiny strips for a festive look

uses many small separate shiny bits rather than strand materials
to pearl
vsto bespangle
7.7

To decorate something by putting small round white beads on it

uses many small glittering pieces rather than larger bead ornaments
to beset
vsto bespangle
  • Literature
9.1

To cover an object with many jewels or decorations

focuses on adding small shiny items without lavishness
to engild
vsto bespangle
  • Archaic
9.9

To cover something with gold or thin gold leaf

uses discrete small shiny items rather than metal coating

Antonyms

to strip
  • Specialized
15 6.3

Remove a substance or part from material like soil

How Sparkly

to bedazzle
3 5.1
to bespangle
  • Archaic
9.9

Surface Forms

bespangle infinitive
bespangled past
bespangled past participle
bespangling present participle
bespangles third person singular

Morphology

bespangle = spangle (transparent) = be + spangle

Formed by the productive verbal prefix 'be-' added to the verb 'spangle', yielding the expected meaning 'to cover with spangles'.

Etymology

Bespangle is made of be- and spangle. Be- means 'cover with' and spangle means a 'small shiny piece', so, just like bejeweled, to bespangle something is to cover it with tiny shiny bits like sequins or stars.