spangle

1 of 2

noun

span·​gle ˈspaŋ-gəl 

1

: a small plate of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation especially on clothing

2

: a small glittering object or particle

spangle

2 of 2

verb

spangled; spangling ˈspaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to set or sprinkle with or as if with spangles

intransitive verb

: to glitter as if covered with spangles : sparkle

Synonyms

Verb

• coruscate
• flame
• flash
• glance
• gleam
• glimmer
• glint
• glisten
• glister
• glitter
• luster
• lustre
• scintillate
• shimmer
• sparkle
• twinkle
• wink
• winkle

Examples of spangle in a Sentence

Noun

showgirls dressed in costumes with gold spangles

Verb

in typical Las Vegas fashion, the showgirls' sequined costumes spangled gloriously

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And so Lily spends ninety minutes on the couch with two mothers sewing spangles onto tutus. —Allegra Goodman, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2024

His trademark spangles, makeup, and campy showmanship were entirely new to the mainstream gym world. —Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, The Atlantic, 16 July 2024

Verb

That also spangles the packaging of the Terracotta Marmo Sun bronzing powder, in three shades, with a fabric zip pouch. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 30 July 2024

The fur was oddly erect, as if from static, and spangled with rain. —Nell Freudenberger, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spangel, diminutive of spang shiny ornament, probably from Middle Dutch spange; akin to Old English spang buckle, Middle Dutch spannen to stretch

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

spangle

1 of 2 noun

span·​gle ˈspaŋ-gəl 

1

: a small piece of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation on clothing

2

: a small glittering object

spangle

2 of 2 verb

spangled; spangling ˈspaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

: to set or sprinkle with or as if with spangles