scintillating
/ˌsɪntɪˈleɪtɪŋ/
scintillating means that scintillates with brief flashes of light; sparkling. It carries an Arena rating of 2037, earned across 56 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, scintillating ranks #28 of 40,250 for Qualifying, #390 of 17,114 for Most Satisfying to Say, #477 of 17,116 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #743 of 17,123 for Most Malleable Words.
scintillating is pronounced /ˌsɪntɪˈleɪtɪŋ/.
Why “scintillating” is a great word
Emitting quick flashes of light or, figuratively, being brilliantly clever, exciting, or witty. From the Latin verb scintillare ("to sparkle, glitter"), from scintilla ("a spark"). Unlike "sparkling" (which suggests a steady, gemlike glow or a fizzy effervescence) or "interesting" (a broad, often tepid claim to hold attention), "scintillating" implies a rapid, crackling succession of tiny intellectual or sensual fires. It is the staccato dance of sunlight on a wind-ruffled sea, the dazzling, unpredictable repartee in a room of quick minds, or the thrilling, electric promise of a city seen from a moving train at night—a word for that which does not merely shine, but ignites.
adj
- That scintillates with brief flashes of light; sparkling.e.g.“On the scintillating water yellow and blue boats bobbed up and down.”
- Brilliantly or impressively clever, exciting, amusing or witty.
Words closest in meaning
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