spark

spark — noun

1. a very small glowing piece of burning material that flies off a fire or is produ

1.nounC2
Definition

a very small glowing piece of burning material that flies off a fire or is produced when two hard surfaces are rubbed together, or a short bright flash of electricity that jumps between two conductors.

Example

A spark from the campfire flew onto Asher's sleeping bag and burned a small hole.

countable: a spark from [source] + verb of motion

The mechanic saw blue sparks jumping between the frayed wires under the car bonnet.

plural sparks + verb: jumping between [objects]

Common collocations
  • spark flies
  • spark jumps
  • blue sparks
  • tiny sparks
Synonyms
  • fleck

    a very small piece of something, but not necessarily burning

  • glint

    a brief flash of light, but usually reflected rather than emitted

Grammar Patterns

a spark of [material]

sparks [verb]

Usage Note

Frequently used with verbs of motion such as 'fly', 'jump', and 'shoot'. In electrical contexts, plural form 'sparks' is typical.

Common Mistakes

A spark of fire jumped from the fireplace.
A spark jumped from the fireplace.
'spark' already describes the burning piece; adding 'of fire' is redundant.

2. a small happening that triggers a much bigger, usually negative situation — for

2.nounC2
Definition

a small happening that triggers a much bigger, usually negative situation — for instance, a brief quarrel that snowballs into a physical fight, or a local complaint that escalates into a region-wide dispute.

Example

The argument over a parking space was the spark that started a fight between the two neighbours.

the spark that + relative clause describing consequence

A small misunderstanding became the spark for a much larger conflict within the team.

the spark for [something]: prepositional pattern

Common collocations
  • the spark that started
  • the spark for
  • the spark that set off
Synonyms
  • trigger

    more neutral in tone; can be used for positive or negative outcomes

  • catalyst

    formal; describes something that speeds up change without necessarily being the direct cause

  • flashpoint

    the moment or place where conflict becomes unavoidable

Antonyms
  • prevention

    an action taken to stop a conflict before it begins

Grammar Patterns

the spark that [verb]

a spark for/of [something]

the spark that sets off [something]

Usage Note

Almost always appears with the definite article ('the spark'). Often followed by a relative clause ('the spark that…') or a prepositional phrase ('the spark for/of…'). The result is typically negative — violence, conflict, or unrest.

Common Mistakes

His joke was a spark of laughter.
His joke was the spark that started a debate about humour.
'the spark' implies a chain of events leading to a notable outcome, not a simple immediate reaction.

3. a very small amount of a quality, feeling, or sign that shows something may deve

3.noun
Definition

a very small amount of a quality, feeling, or sign that shows something may develop or be present — for example, a spark of hope, a spark of curiosity, or a spark of genius.

Example

Renata saw a spark of excitement in the children's eyes when she mentioned the trip to the aquarium.

a spark of [emotion] + in [someone's] eyes

Even after months of treatment, Camille never lost the spark of hope in her voice.

Common collocations
  • a spark of hope
  • a spark of curiosity
  • a spark of interest
  • a spark of genius
Synonyms
  • glimmer

    slightly weaker; suggests something barely visible or uncertain

  • trace

    more neutral; a very small amount of anything

  • hint

    suggests indirect evidence rather than a direct small amount

Antonyms
  • absence

    complete lack of a quality or sign

Grammar Patterns

a spark of [quality/feeling]

Usage Note

Always used in the pattern 'a spark of + abstract noun' (hope, curiosity, excitement, interest, genius). Never used with concrete nouns — you cannot say 'a spark of bread' or 'a spark of water'. The abstract noun is usually positive or neutral in tone.

Common Mistakes

There was a spark of anger in his voice.
There was a spark of excitement in his voice.
'spark' in this sense usually collocates with positive qualities (hope, interest, creativity); for anger, use 'a flash of anger'.

4. a casual British term for someone who works with electrical wiring and appliance

4.noun
Definition

a casual British term for someone who works with electrical wiring and appliances in buildings.

Example

James called a spark to fix the broken wiring in the kitchen ceiling.

informal British: 'call a spark' = call an electrician

Amani's uncle works as a spark for a large building company in Manchester.

Common collocations
  • call a spark
  • send a spark
  • spark for a company
Synonyms
  • electrician

    the standard, neutral term used in all varieties of English

Usage Note

This sense is restricted to informal British English. It is not used in American English or in formal contexts. The standard term 'electrician' is preferred in writing and in most professional situations.

Common Mistakes

I am studying to become a spark.
I am studying to become an electrician.
'spark' is too informal for a professional statement or a CV.
Idioms

Dame Muriel Spark (1918–2006)

idiom

Scottish novelist and short-story writer, best known for her sharp wit and elegant style. Her most celebrated work is 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' (1961). This biographical name entry appears in some dictionaries because 'Spark' is the author's surname — it is not a true idiom.

Muriel Spark's novel 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' is still widely studied in British schools.

Critics often describe Dame Muriel Spark as one of the most original writers of the twentieth century.

spark — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe causing something to begin, but they differ in tone and typical use. 'Spark' (verb/1) is the most neutral and versatile of the group — it works for debates, protests, interest, and change, and it often implies the result is out of proportion to the original cause. 'Trigger' is also neutral but leans toward mechanical or automatic causation ('trigger an alarm'), whereas 'spark' feels more organic or social. 'Ignite' is more dramatic and literary, suggesting explosive or passionate results ('ignite a revolution'); it sounds too intense for everyday situations like a classroom discussion. 'Provoke' has a deliberate, confrontational feel — it suggests one person deliberately tries to get a reaction ('provoke an argument'), while 'spark' can be unintentional. 'Set off' is more informal and can be used for both physical events ('set off a bomb') and social ones ('set off a chain of events'). For example: 'Her comment sparked a lively debate' (neutral, unintentional); 'His rude remark provoked an angry response' (deliberate, confrontational); 'The speech ignited a wave of patriotism' (dramatic, emotional); 'The news set off panic among investors' (informal, chain-reaction).

trigger ↗igniteprovoke ↗set off ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a spark of
  • the spark that
  • spark off

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'spark' comes from Old English 'spearca', which goes back to a Germanic root meaning 'to scatter' or 'to sprinkle' — an image of tiny burning particles flying in all directions. The figurative meanings (sense noun/2, noun/3, verb/1 — something small that triggers something big) emerged in the late 19th century, following the same logic: a tiny event 'scatters' into a much larger consequence. The informal British noun sense (noun/4, 'electrician') developed as occupational slang in the early 20th century, from the sparks that electrical work produces.