spark

[ spahrk ]

/ spɑrk /

noun

an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.

Also called sparkover. Electricity.

the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.
the discharge itself.
any electric arc of relatively small energy content.
the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.

anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.

a small amount or trace of something.

a trace of life or vitality.

sparks, (used with a singular verb) Slang. a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.

(usually initial capital letter) a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.

verb (used without object)

to emit or produce sparks.

to issue as or like sparks.

to send forth gleams or flashes.

(of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.

verb (used with object)

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.

Origin of spark

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English spearca; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German sparke; (v.) Middle English sparken; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German sparken

SYNONYMS FOR spark

4 jot, bit, flicker.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR spark ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

spark·less, adjective spark·less·ly, adverb spark·like, adjective

Words nearby spark

sparge, sparid, sparine, sparing, sparing action, spark, spark arrester, spark chamber, spark coil, spark erosion, spark gap

Definition for spark (2 of 3)

spark ²

[ spahrk ]

/ spɑrk /

Informal: Older Use.

noun

an elegant or foppish young man.

a beau, lover, or suitor.

a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.

verb (used with object)

to woo; court.

verb (used without object)

to engage in courtship; woo.

Origin of spark

1565–75; figurative use of spark¹, or < Old Norse sparkr quick, lively

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

spark·ish, adjective spark·ish·ly, adverb spark·ish·ness, noun spark·like, adjective

Definition for spark (3 of 3)

Spark

[ spahrk ]

/ spɑrk /

noun

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

Example sentences from the Web for spark

I love seeing memes take off and spark mutations and parodies and homages.

Death of the Author by Viral Infection: In Defense of Taylor Swift, Digital Doomsayer |Arthur Chu |December 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Our inner cities are stacks of dry leaves and lumber, waiting for a spark.

‘Why Have I Lost Control?’: Cory Booker in ’92 on Rodney King Echoes Ferguson |Cory Booker |November 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Then, it was the arrest of a popular leader named Mullah Kareem without just cause that provided the spark.

Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley |Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman |November 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
You refer to a car accident you were in as a kind of spark for you to get back into acting.

All Eyes on Anjelica Huston: The Legendary Actress on Love, Abuse, and Jack Nicholson |Alex Suskind |November 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Does the fact that Cary is embroiled in all of this now spark any sort of crisis of conscience?

‘The Good Wife’ Star Mike Colter Defends Lemond Bishop’s Killer Instincts |Kevin Fallon |September 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A spark falling on a properly treated tent roof burns only a little round hole at the worst.

Touring Afoot |Claude Powell Fordyce
Oh, Marilla, if you have a spark of Christian pity don't tell me that I must go down and wash the dishes after this.

Anne Of Green Gables |Lucy Maud Montgomery
Jerry shut off the power, took out the spark plug and the boys advanced cautiously, leaving the machine on one side of the road.

The Motor Boys Overland |Clarence Young
It took twenty-five years to kill the spark in his breast, but the process though slow was sure.

The Poems of Philip Freneau, Volume I (of III) |Philip Freneau
You, if you have a spark of temperament, will understand, because you will have experienced something of the sort.

A Maid of the Kentucky Hills |Edwin Carlile Litsey

British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)

spark ¹

/ (spɑːk) /

noun

a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces

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
the electrical discharge itself
(as modifier)a spark gap

anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite

a trace or hint she doesn't show a spark of interest

vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour

a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass

verb

(intr) to give off sparks

(intr) (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark

(tr often foll by off) to kindle, excite, or animate

Word Origin for spark

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

British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)

spark ²

/ (spɑːk) /

noun rare

a fashionable or gallant young man

bright spark British usually ironic a person who appears clever or witty some bright spark left the papers next to the open window

verb

rare to woo (a person)

Derived forms of spark

sparkish, adjective

Word Origin for spark

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

British Dictionary definitions for spark (3 of 3)

Spark

/ (spɑːk) /

noun

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)

Idioms and Phrases with spark

spark

see make the sparks fly.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

spark

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Origin of spark

SYNONYMS FOR spark

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

Words nearby spark

Definition for spark (2 of 3)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of spark

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

Definition for spark (3 of 3)

noun

Example sentences from the Web for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)

noun rare

verb

Derived forms of spark

Word Origin for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (3 of 3)

noun

Idioms and Phrases with spark

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

spark

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Origin of spark

SYNONYMS FOR spark

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

Words nearby spark

Definition for spark (2 of 3)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of spark

OTHER WORDS FROM spark

Definition for spark (3 of 3)

noun

Words related to spark

Example sentences from the Web for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (1 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (2 of 3)

noun rare

verb

Derived forms of spark

Word Origin for spark

British Dictionary definitions for spark (3 of 3)

noun

Idioms and Phrases with spark