scintillate

[ sin-tl-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing.

1. to emit sparks.
2. to sparkle; flash:

   a mind that scintillates with brilliance.

3. to twinkle, as the stars.
4. Electronics. (of a spot of light or image on a radar display) to shift rapidly around a mean position.
5. Physics.
   1. (of the amplitude, phase, or polarization of an electromagnetic wave) to fluctuate in a random manner.
   2. (of an energetic photon or particle) to produce a flash of light in a phosphor by striking it.

verb (used with object)

, scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing.

1. to emit as sparks; flash forth.

scintillate

/ ˈsɪntɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. also tr to give off (sparks); sparkle; twinkle
2. to be animated or brilliant
3. physics to give off flashes of light as a result of the impact of particles or photons

Derived Forms

• ˈscintillant, adjective
• ˈscintillantly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scintillate¹

First recorded in 1615–25, scintillate is from the Latin word scintillātus (past participle of scintillāre to send out sparks, flash). See scintilla, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of scintillate¹

C17: from Latin scintillāre, from scintilla a spark

Example Sentences

Space telescopes see the universe undistorted by Earth’s atmosphere, whose shifting air causes stars to scintillate, or twinkle, and whose gas molecules block many wavelengths entirely, including much of the infrared.

From Science Magazine

Its luminous blue twilight sky and inky shadows scintillate while New Yorkers with little skull faces go about their business.

From New York Times

Serving that theme means not adding scintillating fictional details just to scintillate and, more importantly, not perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

From Los Angeles Times

Djokovic brawling against Nadal for the 53rd time — Djokovic leads, 27-25 — is expected to scintillate.

From New York Times

What’s compelling in newsprint, or for that matter in life, does not always scintillate when turned into a play.

From New York Times