scintillate

USAGE SUMMARY

"scintillate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe a sparkle or glittering shine. Example sentence: The stars scintillated in the night sky, showering the mountains with a captivating sparkle.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

For that matter, women's hockey continues to scintillate every bit as much as men's, and with no goonery at all.

The New Yorker

Adam wrote, "Women's hockey continues to scintillate every bit as much as men's, and with no goonery at all.

The New Yorker

The definitions were followed by a presentation of synonyms: "flash, gleam, glance, glint, sparkle, glitter, scintillate, coruscate, glimmer, shimmer mean to shoot forth light".

The New Yorker

These are old-fashioned virtues, which, like most of the de Montebello Met's more than thirty special exhibitions a year, scintillate.

The New Yorker

Beautifulas mannequins in Slater Brothers' window.Faces flawless, not a blemish.Yet — you could believethey might be breath-ing, for some trickof scintillate light revealedtiny bubbles in the ice,and a motion like a smilein Jean-Marie's perfect face.

The New Yorker

What I wanted to do was to alter the reader's perspective of Earth, to show that dirt is precious but seawater dominates, to step out on a field is rare while to float and scintillate with bioluminescence is common.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

What has mattered in Hodgkin's art, and still does, is not simply a brilliant way with colour, although it would be hard to find many painters of the past 100 years who could out-scintillate a work such as that bedroom picture, with its chromatic suggestion of coals glowing in a blackened grate.

The Guardian

EVEN as the web scintillates in a rainbow of colours, digital fonts persist in a monochromatic past resembling the long-gone era of wood and metal type.

The Economist

"That's the astonishing part to see how, with just the words, it scintillates, it sparkles".The players, speaking on live webchats in the "fairy bower" during rehearsal, remark on the strange freedom of leaping in and opening the process to outsiders.

The Economist

Theatre of Voices tripped out to Berio's Stories, Quatuor Diotima scintillated in American Music, the Smith Quartet shimmied and jived in Dance, and Theatre of the Ayre beguiled in Blow's Venus and Adonis.

Independent

With an orchestra led by Florence Malgoire Francece's Monica Huggett – this concert should have scintillated, but a thick seam of cellos, viol and double basses made heavy work of Campra's Exaudiat te Dominus.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scintillate" to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your writing when describing something that shines brightly or captivates with its brilliance.

Common error

Avoid using "scintillate" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It's a more formal and literary term, so reserve it for situations where you want to create a more elevated or artistic effect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scintillate" is as an intransitive verb, describing the action of something emitting sparks or shining with a twinkling light. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing examples where it vividly portrays radiant or captivating qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Arts

23%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scintillate" is a verb that means to emit sparks or shine brightly, often with a twinkling effect. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, suggesting it's grammatically correct and suitable for adding elegance to your writing. While "scintillate" is a relatively formal word, frequently appearing in news and media, arts, and sports contexts, be mindful of overusing it in informal situations. Consider alternatives like "sparkle" or "twinkle" for less formal settings. Its primary function is to evoke brilliance and captivation, making it a powerful tool for vivid descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparkle

Focuses on the bright, lively quality of light emitted.

twinkle

Emphasizes the intermittent flashing of light, like stars.

coruscate

Highlights a shimmering, radiant effect.

gleam

Suggests a soft, reflected light.

glimmer

Indicates a faint or wavering light.

shine

A general term for emitting light.

glitter

Implies a scattering of bright reflections.

radiate

Focuses on emitting energy or light outward.

luminesce

Describes the emission of light without heat.

effervesce

Indicates bubbling or liveliness, metaphorically like sparkling light.

FAQs

How to use "scintillate" in a sentence?

You can use "scintillate" to describe something that emits sparks or shines brightly. For example, "The stars scintillated in the night sky."

What can I say instead of "scintillate"?

You can use alternatives like "sparkle", "twinkle", or "shine" depending on the context.

Is "scintillate" a formal word?

Yes, "scintillate" is a relatively formal and literary word. It's best used in writing or speaking where you want to create a sophisticated or artistic impression.

What is the difference between "scintillate" and "coruscate"?

"Scintillate" generally refers to emitting sparks or twinkling, while "coruscate" implies a shimmering or radiating effect. Both words describe brightness, but "coruscate" suggests a more intense and vibrant display.