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Glistening vs. Sparkling — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Glistening and Sparkling

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Definitions

Glistening

To shine by reflection with a sparkling luster
"Sweat ... trickled in streams down his face and glistened in his beard" (Lois Lowry).

Sparkling

To give off sparks.

Glistening

To be reflected with a sparkling luster
"The sun glistened upon his hair" (Robert Louis Stevenson).

Sparkling

To give off or reflect flashes of light; glitter
"The night seemed very large and still, and the stars sparkled like frost in the black sky" (Laura Ingalls Wilder). "The diamonds sparkled in a sunset ray that came through the slats of the shutters" (Edith Wharton).

Glistening

A sparkling, lustrous shine.
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Sparkling

To be reflected in small flashes of light
"The light of the rising moon sparkled on the sea" (Arthur C. Clarke).

Glistening

Present participle of glisten

Sparkling

To be brilliant in performance.

Glistening

The appearance of something that glistens.

Sparkling

To make or contain witty or intelligently lively remarks
Their conversation sparkled all evening.
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Glistening

(optics) A fluid-filled microvacuole within a lens.

Sparkling

To release gas bubbles; effervesce
Champagne sparkles.

Glistening

Reflecting light readily or in large amounts; having a surface luster; reflecting light directly rather than scattering it.

Sparkling

A small spark or gleaming particle.

Glistening

Reflecting light;
Glistening bodies of swimmers
The horse's glossy coat
Lustrous auburn hair
Saw the moon like a shiny dime on a deep blue velvet carpet
Shining white enamel

Sparkling

A glittering quality.

Sparkling

Brilliant animation; vivacity.

Sparkling

Emission of gas bubbles; effervescence.

Sparkling

Of an object, reflecting light as if giving off tiny sparks or flashes of light.

Sparkling

Of a beverage, especially an alcoholic beverage, containing dissolved carbon dioxide (either naturally or that has been added) that comes out of solution in the form of many tiny bubbles.

Sparkling

(figurative) Brilliant and vivacious.

Sparkling

Act or appearance of something that sparkles; a sparkle; a gleam.

Sparkling

A sparkling wine.

Sparkling

Emitting sparks; glittering; flashing; brilliant; lively; as, sparkling wine; sparkling eyes.

Sparkling

A rapid change in brightness; a brief spark or flash

Sparkling

Shining with brilliant points of light like stars;
Sparkling snow
Sparkling eyes

Sparkling

Marked by high spirits or excitement;
His fertile effervescent mind
Scintillating personality
Sparkling conversation
A row of sparkly cheerleaders

Sparkling

Used of wines and waters; charged naturally or artificially with carbon dioxide;
Sparkling wines
Sparkling water

Sparkling

Having brief brilliant points or flashes of light;
Bugle beads all aglitter
Glinting eyes
Glinting water
His glittering eyes were cold and malevolent
Shop window full of glittering Christmas trees
Glittery costume jewelry
Scintillant mica
The scintillating stars
A dress with sparkly sequins
`glistering' is an archaic term

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