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APG.American
Pronunciation Guide
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

spark

/ˈspɑɹk/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does spark mean?

noun

  1. A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
  2. A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
  3. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
More meanings (14)

noun

  1. (figuratively) 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.
  2. Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa.
  3. A ship's radio operator.
  4. (slang) An electrician.
  5. A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off.
  6. A gallant; a foppish young man.
  7. A beau, lover.
  8. (obsolete) A diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery.

verb

  1. (figuratively) To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).
  2. To light; to kindle.
  3. To give off a spark or sparks.
  4. To shoot; to fire
  5. (archaic) To woo, court; to act the gallant or beau.

proper noun

  1. A surname.
Wiktionary contributors Wiktionary contributors

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈspɑɹk/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

The sight of it, unimpaired, within its screen of grass and nettles, lit in his soul a spark of the old fire.
Thomas HardyJude the ObscureProject Gutenberg ebook #153
“H’m! ’Er’s a bright spark, from th’ look on ’er, an’ one as wunna do him owermuch good neither. Who is she?”
D. H. (David Herbert) LawrenceSons and LoversProject Gutenberg ebook #217
More book examples (3)
I soon found, before I had time to introduce the spark, a drooping in the wings, a flagging in all the parts.
Evelyn Charles Vivian; W. Lockwood (William Lockwood) MarshA History of AeronauticsProject Gutenberg ebook #874
A little earlier, the russet-yellow tint announces the extinction of the last spark of life in the creature that is being devoured.
Jean-Henri FabreMore Hunting WaspsTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #3462
The monks hasten in the direction of the sound, and often succeed in rekindling the vital spark before it is quite extinguished.
William YouattThe DogProject Gutenberg ebook #9478