Scintillate
To emit quick flashes of light; to sparkle brightly; or, figuratively, to be brilliantly lively in intellect or wit.
verbScintillate
To emit quick flashes of light; to sparkle brightly; or, figuratively, to be brilliantly lively in intellect or wit.
verbImagine This
Imagine a chandelier in a dark room suddenly releasing a rapid sequence of bright sparks; each flash outshines the last, making the entire room seem to glow with liveliness.
Sounds Like
SIN-tih-layt
Looks Like
resembles scintilla (a tiny spark) and conveys the idea of spark-like brightness
Remember This
Originates from Latin scintillare 'to flash, sparkle', from scintilla 'spark'. Related forms include scintillation and scintillating.
Other Forms
Connect With
sparkle, glitter, shine, twinkle, dazzle
Note
Use scintillate for bright flashes of light or for sparkling wit. Commonly used with lights, eyes, or clever speech (scintillating remarks). Be careful not to confuse with similar-sounding but unrelated terms.