- [countable] a very small burning piece of material that is produced by something that is burning or by hitting two hard substances together
- A shower of sparks flew up the chimney.
- A spark from the machinery had set fire to some material.
Extra Examples- Flying sparks set fire to the dry grass.
- His iron-tipped stick struck sparks from the pavement.
- The firework showered sparks all over the lawn.
- The grinding wheel sent a shower of sparks across the workbench.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- tiny
- flying
- electric
- …
- emit
- produce
- send
- …
- flare
- fly
- ignite something
- …
- a shower of sparks
- a spark of light
- [countable] a small flash of light produced by an electric current
- sparks from a faulty light switch
- A spark ignites the fuel in a car engine.
- [countable, usually singular] spark of something a small amount of a particular quality or feeling synonym glimmer
- a spark of hope
- The woman’s eyes still had a spark of life in them.
Extra Examples- She didn't have a spark of talent in her.
- He had kindled a spark of interest within her.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- little
- tiny
- creative
- …
- have
- lack
- lose
- …
- fly
- spark of
- [uncountable, singular] a special quality of energy, intelligence or enthusiasm that makes somebody very clever, funny, etc.
- As a writer he seemed to lack creative spark.
- She was a real star. She had a certain spark—that something extra.
Extra Examples- The players have shown that they still possess the spark to make a fight of it.
- She had lost none of the spark that had made her such an endearing young bride.
- His performances lack creative spark.
- Her performance added a little spark to the movie.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- little
- tiny
- creative
- …
- have
- lack
- lose
- …
- fly
- spark of
- [countable] an action or event that causes something important to develop, especially trouble or violence
- These were the sparks of revolution.
- [countable, usually plural] feelings of anger or excitement between people
- Sparks flew at the meeting (= there was a lot of argument).
- She was suddenly aware of the romantic spark between them.
Extra Examples- His remarks drew sparks from her.
- She felt a little spark of anger.
- Her eyes shot sparks of contempt.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- little
- tiny
- creative
- …
- have
- lack
- lose
- …
- fly
- spark of
Word OriginOld English spærca, spearca, of unknown origin.
Idioms
See spark in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee spark in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englisha bright spark
- (British English, informal, often ironic) a lively and intelligent person, especially somebody young
- Some bright spark (= stupid person) left the tap running all night.
Check pronunciation:
spark