Spark

/spɑɹk/ name, noun, verb, slang

name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
  • Grammar: spark is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: glint, abettor, ac arc, activate.
  • Useful contrasts: absence, coolness, dampen.
  • Usage evidence: The war on Iraq is a volatile subject of political debate; any wrong word and a heated argument could spark.

How to use "spark"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "spark" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "spark" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "spark" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "spark" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "spark" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "glint" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "spark", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
  2. 2
    A gallant; a foppish young man.

    "The finest sparks and cleanest beaux."

  3. 3
    merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance wordnet
  4. 4
    A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
  5. 5
    A beau, lover.
Show 11 more definitions
  1. 6
    a momentary flash of light wordnet
  2. 7
    A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
  3. 8
    a small fragment of a burning substance thrown out by burning material or by friction wordnet
  4. 9
    A small amount of something, such as an idea or romantic affection, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire. figuratively

    "if any spark of life be yet remaining"

  5. 10
    electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field wordnet
  6. 11
    Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa.
  7. 12
    a small but noticeable trace of some quality that might become stronger wordnet
  8. 13
    A ship's radio operator.
  9. 14
    An electrician. UK, slang

    "At the other extreme, with limitless budgets all they have to do is dream up amazing lighting rigs to be constructed and operated by the huge team of gaffers and sparks, with their generators, discharge lights, flags, gobos and brutes."

  10. 15
    A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off.
  11. 16
    A diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery. in-plural, obsolete
Verb
  1. 1
    To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc). figuratively, transitive

    "The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages."

  2. 2
    To woo, court; to act the gallant or beau. archaic, intransitive
  3. 3
    put in motion or move to act wordnet
  4. 4
    To light; to kindle. transitive

    "Byron sparked the cigarette. He sucked it dramatically and thrust it into Marko's hand."

  5. 5
    emit or produce sparks wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To give off a spark or sparks. intransitive
  2. 7
    To shoot; to fire intransitive

    "[Streetlife]:Fuck a peace talk, let the gun spark, on the streets of New York."

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.

Synonyms

All synonyms
glintabettorac arcactivateactivateactuate

Example

"The war on Iraq is a volatile subject of political debate; any wrong word and a heated argument could spark."

Common questions

What does "spark" mean?

A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.

What is a synonym for "spark"?

Common synonyms include: glint, abettor, ac arc, activate, activate, actuate.

How do you use "spark" in a sentence?

The war on Iraq is a volatile subject of political debate; any wrong word and a heated argument could spark.

How do you pronounce "spark"?

Pronounced /spɑɹk/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from Proto-West Germanic *sparkō (compare Saterland Frisian Spoorke, West Frisian spark, Dutch spark, German Low German Sparke, German Sparke), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *sparkaz (“lively, energetic”), from Proto-Indo-European *sperg- (“to strew, sprinkle”) (compare Breton erc’h (“snow”), Latin spargō (“to scatter, spread”), sparsus (“scattered”), Lithuanian sprógti (“to germinate”), Ancient Greek σπαργάω (spargáō, “to swell”), Avestan 𐬟𐬭𐬀𐬯𐬞𐬀𐬭𐬈𐬔𐬀 (frasparega, “branch, twig”), Sanskrit पर्जन्य (parjanya, “rain, rain god”)).

Etymology 2

Probably Scandinavian, akin to Old Norse sparkr (“sprightly”).

More for "spark"

Synonyms

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