Word of the Day - 06/20/26
scintillating
/ˈsɪntlˌeɪtɪŋ/(adj.): marked by high spirits or excitement
The host's scintillating personality kept the guests entertained throughout the evening.
(adj.): having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
The diamond necklace was scintillating under the spotlights.
(adj.): brilliantly clever
She delivered a scintillating speech that captivated the entire audience.
Word Origin
The word 'scintillating' originates from the Latin verb 'scintillare', meaning "to sparkle, flash, or glitter". This Latin verb is derived from 'scintilla', meaning "a spark". Therefore, 'scintillating' can be understood as 'scintilla' (spark) + '-ate' (a verb-forming suffix) + '-ing' (a suffix forming the present participle or an adjective).
Words with a similar origin, stemming from the Latin 'scintilla', include 'scintilla' itself (meaning a tiny trace or amount) and 'scintillation' (the act or process of sparkling).