1 sparkle vb sparkled; sparkling [ME sparklen, freq. of sparken to spark] vi 1 a : to throw out sparks b : to give off or reflect bright moving points of light c : to perform brilliantly 2 : EFFERVESCE <wine that ~s with wit> 3 : to become lively or animated <the dialogue ~s with wit> <eyes sparkling with anger> ~ vt : to cause to glitter or shine syn see FLASH 2 sparkle n [E, dim. of sparke] 1 : a little spark : SCINTILLATION 2 : the quality of sparking 3 a : ANIMATION, LIVELINESS b : the quality or state of being effervescent