spar|ing /speə r I ŋ/ ADJ Someone who is sparing with something uses it or gives it only in very small quantities. □ Her sparing use of make-up only seemed to enhance her classically beautiful features. ● spar|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Medication is used sparingly.
spark ◆◇◇ /spɑː r k/ (sparks , sparking , sparked )
1 N‑COUNT A spark is a tiny bright piece of burning material that flies up from something that is burning. □ The fire gradually got bigger and bigger. Sparks flew off in all directions.
2 N‑COUNT A spark is a flash of light caused by electricity. It often makes a loud sound. □ He passed an electric spark through a mixture of gases.
3 VERB If something sparks , sparks of fire or light come from it. □ [V ] The wires were sparking above me. □ [V prep] I stared into the flames of the fire as it sparked to life.
4 VERB If a burning object or electricity sparks a fire, it causes a fire. □ [V n] A dropped cigarette may have sparked the fire.
5 N‑COUNT A spark of a quality or feeling, especially a desirable one, is a small but noticeable amount of it. □ [+ of ] His music lacked that vital spark of imagination.
6 VERB If one thing sparks another, the first thing causes the second thing to start happening. □ [V n] What was it that sparked your interest in motoring? □ [V -ed] …a row sparked by a comment about his sister. ● PHRASAL VERB Spark off means the same as spark . □ [V n P ] That incident sparked it off. □ [V P n] His book sparked off a revolution in the way we think about animals.
7 → see also bright spark
8 PHRASE If sparks fly between people, they discuss something in an excited or angry way. □ They are not afraid to tackle the issues or let the sparks fly when necessary.
▸ spark off → see spark 6 COLLOCATIONS spark NOUN 5
adjective + spark : creative, definite, vital; missing
verb + spark : ignite, rekindle, provide; lack VERB 6
spark + noun : controversy, debate, interest, speculation; fury, outrage, protest, row
noun + spark : claim, comment, death, incident
spar|kle /spɑː r k ə l/ (sparkles , sparkling , sparkled )
1 VERB If something sparkles , it is clear and bright and shines with a lot of very small points of light. □ [V ] The jewels on her fingers sparkled. □ [V ] His bright eyes sparkled. □ [V -ing] …the sparkling blue waters of the ocean. ● N‑UNCOUNT Sparkle is also a noun. □ …the sparkle of coloured glass.
2 N‑COUNT Sparkles are small points of light caused by light reflecting off a clear bright surface. □ …sparkles of light. □ There was a sparkle in her eye that could not be hidden.
3 VERB Someone who sparkles is lively, intelligent, and witty. [APPROVAL ] □ [V ] She sparkles, and has as much zest as a person half her age. ● N‑UNCOUNT Sparkle is also a noun. □ There was little sparkle in their performance. ● spar|kling ADJ □ He is sparkling and versatile in front of the camera.
4 → see also sparkling
spar|kler /spɑː r klə r / (sparklers ) N‑COUNT A sparkler is a small firework that you can hold as it burns. It looks like a piece of thick wire and burns with a lot of small bright sparks.
spar|kling /spɑː r kl I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sparkling drinks are slightly fizzy. □ …a glass of sparkling wine. □ …a new lightly sparkling drink.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If a company is described as having sparkling figures or sparkling results, it has performed very well and made a lot of money. [JOURNALISM ] □ Top retailer Marks & Spencer has romped in with another set of sparkling results.
3 → see also sparkle
spar|kly /spɑː r kli/ ADJ Sparkly things sparkle. [INFORMAL ] □ …a sparkly toy necklace. □ Her eyes were sparkly.
spa rk plug (spark plugs ) N‑COUNT A spark plug is a device in the engine of a motor vehicle, which produces electric sparks to make the petrol burn.
sparky /spɑː r ki/ (sparkier , sparkiest ) ADJ Sparky people or events are lively and entertaining. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ She's a terrific, sparky girl.
spa r|ring part|ner (sparring partners )
1 N‑COUNT A boxer's sparring partner is another boxer who he or she fights regularly in training.
2 N‑COUNT Your sparring partner is a person with whom you regularly have friendly arguments.
spar|row /spæ roʊ/ (sparrows ) N‑COUNT A sparrow is a small brown bird that is very common in Britain.
sparse /spɑː r s/ (sparser , sparsest ) ADJ Something that is sparse is small in number or amount and spread out over an area. □ Many slopes are rock fields with sparse vegetation. □ Traffic was sparse on the highway. ● sparse|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed] □ …the sparsely populated interior region, where there are few roads.
spar|tan /spɑː r t ə n/ ADJ A spartan lifestyle or existence is very simple or strict, with no luxuries. □ Their spartan lifestyle prohibits a fridge or a phone.