26984 words

sparks

8 definitions • 16 examples
1
a very small piece of fire that flies out from something that is burning, or one that is made by rubbing two hard things together, or a flash of light made by electricity:

Examples:

Sparks were flying out of the bonfire and blowing everywhere.
You can start a fire by rubbing two dry pieces of wood together until you produce a spark.
2
a first small event or problem that causes a much worse situation to develop:

Examples:

That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots.
3

Examples:

They kept running into each other and eventually realized there was a spark between them.
The music is mediocre because there's no spark, no thrill, no unpredictability.
4
an electrician (= a person whose job is to put in and repair electrical wires and equipment):

Examples:

You need a brickie and a sparks.
5
to cause the start of something, especially an argument or fighting:

Examples:

This proposal will almost certainly spark another countrywide debate about immigration.
The recent interest-rate rises have sparked new problems for small businesses.
The visit of the G20 leaders sparked off (= caused the start of) mass demonstrations.
6
a very small bit of something burning that flies out from a fire, or a flash of light seen when an electric current crosses an open space:

Examples:

Flame, smoke, and sparks climbed into the dark sky.
Sparks from the old wiring started the fire.
fig.No one can light the spark that will make you a writer (= the thing that causes you to write).
7
A spark of something is a small amount of it:

Examples:

When students show a spark of interest, I try to give them extra encouragement.
8
to start a fire:

Examples:

We try to find stories that will spark our students’ imaginations.

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