spangle
Americannoun
-
a small, thin, often circular piece of glittering metal or other material, used especially for decorating garments.
-
any small, bright drop, object, spot, or the like.
verb (used with object)
-
to decorate with spangles.
-
to sprinkle or stud with small, bright pieces, objects, spots, etc.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a small thin piece of metal or other shiny material used as a decoration, esp on clothes; sequin
-
any glittering or shiny spot or object
verb
-
(intr) to glitter or shine with or like spangles
-
(tr) to decorate or cover with spangles
Other Word Forms
- spangly adjective
- unspangled adjective
Etymology
Origin of spangle
First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English noun spangel(e), equivalent to spange “spangle” (perhaps from Middle Dutch spange, spaenge “brooch, clasp,” or from Old Norse spǫng “clasp, buckle, spangle”) + -le -le ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The first firework illuminated the sky, leaving a waterfall of spangled light.
From Literature
Wednesday from a stage adorned with star spangled banners at his campaign headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla.
From Los Angeles Times
A board was spangled with Polaroids of its members, who numbered more than two dozen as of October.
From Los Angeles Times
If confetti supplies have plummeted, if a spangle shortage now afflicts Manhattan, blame a tent at the southwestern corner of Lincoln Center.
From New York Times
From the 1930s to the 1950s, the group blazed a spangled, sparkling path that plenty of country acts would later follow.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
