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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Spark: Definition, Usage, and Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：small fiery particle (spark)

spark 🔊

/spɑːrk/

A tiny, bright piece of burning material that flies out from a fire or is created by friction.

Spark definition illustrated by a glowing particle flying from a campfire.

small fiery particle 🔊

➕

/smɔːl ˈfaɪəri ˈpɑːrtɪkl/

A very small, glowing piece of burning material that is thrown off from a fire or produced when two hard surfaces strike each other.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'spearca', meaning a small fiery particle.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a single, tiny spark from a campfire igniting a massive forest fire. It's a small start with a huge consequence.

📖 Example

As we sat around the campfire, a brilliant spark shot into the night sky like a tiny star. 🔊 While we were gathered around the campfire, a bright spark flew up into the dark sky resembling a small star.

🔗 Collocations

emit sparks – to produce and send out sparks

a spark of light – a tiny point or flash of light

fly in a shower of sparks – to move through the air accompanied by many scattered sparks

🔄 Synonyms

ember (n.) – A small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire.

glint (n.) – A small flash of light, especially as reflected from a shiny surface.

speck (n.) – A tiny spot or particle, often used for non-luminous things but can imply small size.

🚫 Antonyms

douse (v.) – To extinguish (a fire or light) thoroughly with water.

🌱 Derivatives

sparkle (v./n.) – To shine with bright, quick flashes of light; a glittering flash.

sparky (adj.) – Lively, energetic, or high-spirited.

📖 Cultural Story

The word originates from Old English 'spearca'. Beyond its literal meaning, 'spark' is often used figuratively to denote the initial cause of significant events, such as the 'spark' that ignited the American Revolution (the Boston Tea Party).

Meaning 2：igniting cause (spark)

spark 🔊

/spɑːrk/

The thing or person that causes something, especially a big event or new idea, to start suddenly.

Spark as a cause shown by a domino chain reaction being triggered.

igniting cause 🔊

➕

/ɪɡˈnaɪtɪŋ kɔːz/

The immediate agent, event, or idea that sets off a significant process, reaction, or series of events.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her social media post about community gardens became the spark that ignited a nationwide conversation about healthy living. 🔊 Her post on social media concerning community gardens acted as the catalyst that started a countrywide discussion on healthy lifestyles.

🔗 Collocations

a spark of inspiration – a sudden clever idea that starts the creative process

spark a debate – to cause a discussion or argument to begin

the spark that ignited – the specific event or action that started a major incident

🔄 Synonyms

catalyst (n.) – A person or thing that precipitates an event or change without being consumed by it.

impetus (n.) – The force or energy with which a body moves, or a driving force behind an action.

trigger (n.) – An event that causes a particular reaction or series of events to begin.

🚫 Antonyms

deterrent (n.) – A thing that discourages or prevents a particular action from starting.

stifler (n.) – Something that suppresses or prevents an activity or process from beginning or continuing.

🌱 Derivatives

spark (v.) – To cause something to start or develop, especially suddenly.