spangle

[ spang-guhl ]
See synonyms for spangle on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a small, thin, often circular piece of glittering metal or other material, used especially for decorating garments.

  2. any small, bright drop, object, spot, or the like.

verb (used with object),span·gled, span·gling.
  1. to decorate with spangles.

  2. to sprinkle or stud with small, bright pieces, objects, spots, etc.

verb (used without object),span·gled, span·gling.
  1. to glitter with or like spangles.

Origin of spangle

1
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

Other words from spangle

  • spangly, adjective
  • un·span·gled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use spangle in a sentence

  • Tentatively his fingers touched the little lump that the spangly bow of red made inside his coat.

    Once to Every Man | Larry Evans
  • Presently the curly head emerged in a cloud of brilliant, spangly stuff, very evidently the costumes.

  • It was a Christmas tree—just a branch of pine and some cheap spangly things.

    The Gay Cockade | Temple Bailey
  • But I pulled the ribbin out of my petticote and put in sum of my hair to make it spangly.

    Far to Seek | Maud Diver
  • Some of them were dressed in spangly tights and others in very short skirts that stood out stiffly.

    Bobs, a Girl Detective | Grace May North

British Dictionary definitions for spangle

spangle

/ (ˈspæŋɡəl) /


noun
  1. a small thin piece of metal or other shiny material used as a decoration, esp on clothes; sequin

  2. any glittering or shiny spot or object

verb
  1. (intr) to glitter or shine with or like spangles

  2. (tr) to decorate or cover with spangles

Origin of spangle

1
C15: diminutive of spange, perhaps from Middle Dutch: clasp; compare Old Norse spöng

Derived forms of spangle

  • spangly, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012