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.
Study Deeper
- The chandelier scintillates with a hundred tiny lights.
- Her scintillating remarks kept the audience spellbound.
From Latin scintillare 'to flash or sparkle', from scintilla 'a spark'.
Spark Till Late: Scintillate means to emit sparks or bright light, as if a spark lasts until late into the night.
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Dazzle
verbTo blind or temporarily stun someone with brilliant light; to impress or amaze greatly with brilliance or skill.
Archaic
adjectiveBelonging to an earlier time; very old-fashioned or outdated; no longer in general use.
Deference
nounThe act of submitting to the opinions or wishes of another; respectful yielding.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Dazzle
verbTo blind or temporarily stun someone with brilliant light; to impress or amaze greatly with brilliance or skill.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.