ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sparkly

adj.
A2 Elementary US //ˈspɑɹkɫi// UK //spˈɑːkli// spark·ly

adj. shining with many small, bright points of light. You use this to describe things like diamonds, stars, or glitter.

adj. reflecting or emitting small, intermittent flashes of light. Often used to describe surfaces with glitter, gemstones, or celestial bodies.


SIMPLE

She wore a sparkly dress to the party.

CONTEXTUAL

The fresh snow looked sparkly under the bright morning sun.

COMPLEX

The designer chose a sparkly fabric that caught the stage lights, ensuring the performer remained visible even from the back of the theater.

Synonyms
Origin

From sparkle + -y.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'look' or 'be'.

© 2026 English Reference