Scintillate Definition & Meaning

scintillate
verb
  1. give off; "the substance scintillated sparks and flashes"
  2. reflect brightly; "Unquarried marble sparkled on the hillside"
  3. emit or reflect light in a flickering manner; "Does a constellation twinkle more brightly than a single star?"
  4. physics: fluoresce momentarily when struck by a charged particle or high-energy photon; "the phosphor fluoresced"
  5. be lively or brilliant or exhibit virtuosity; "The musical performance sparkled"; "A scintillating conversation"; "his playing coruscated throughout the concert hall"

Usage tips for "scintillate"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "scintillate" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for scintillate to find words that pair well.

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