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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.