# Sparks

/ˈspɑɹks/ (US) · /spˈɑːks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sparks
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. bits of fire

noun · CEFR B1

tiny, bright pieces of burning material that fly out from a fire.

For teachers: small, glowing particles of burning substance emitted from a fire or produced by friction.

- Sparks flew into the night sky as he added more wood to the campfire.
- The welder wore a heavy mask to protect his eyes from the shower of bright sparks produced by the torch.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to the physical particles.

### 2. start of a feeling

noun · CEFR B2

a small amount of a feeling or quality that could grow into something bigger.

For teachers: a small but significant amount of a quality or feeling; a latent beginning.

- There was a spark of hope in her eyes when she heard the news.
- The professor's lecture provided the initial spark of interest that eventually led the student to pursue a career in marine biology.

### 3. an electrician

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a casual name for an electrician or a radio operator.

For teachers: an informal term for an electrician, historically specifically applied to shipboard radio operators.

- We need to call a sparks to look at the faulty wiring in the kitchen.
- The site manager told the new apprentice to go find the sparks and ask about the power failure in block B.

Teaching tip: This is a common Britishism; in American English, 'sparky' is the more frequent informal variant for an electrician.

### 4. to cause something

verb · CEFR B2

to cause something to start suddenly, like a fight, a conversation, or an idea.

For teachers: to trigger or initiate a sudden activity, process, or emotional response.

- The new law sparks a lot of debate among local business owners.
- The sudden increase in fuel prices is likely to sparks protests across the capital city this weekend.

Usage: Often used with abstract nouns like 'debate', 'controversy', or 'interest'.

## Examples

- Sparks flew from the campfire into the night sky.
- There were immediate sparks between them during the first date, and they talked for hours until the restaurant closed.
- The welder's torch sent a shower of orange sparks across the workshop floor, while the designer felt the first sparks of a new idea forming in her mind.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.