- 1[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.
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- 2[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.
- 3[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.
- 4[uncountable, singular] a special quality of energy, intelligence, or enthusiasm that makes someone very interesting, amusing, etc. As a writer he seemed to lack creative spark. She was a real star. She had a certain spark—that something extra.
- 5[countable] an action or event that causes something important to develop, especially trouble or violence the sparks of revolution
- 6[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.
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