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destello means sparkle — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 11, 2025

✨ Beautiful Spanish

destello

noun • /[des-TE-yo]/

sparkle

Example:

Sus ojos tenían un destello curioso.

Her eyes had a curious sparkle.

🧠 What does destello mean?

Destello is a masculine noun that refers to a sudden, brief, and intense flash of light. It can describe the sparkle from a reflective surface like a diamond or water, a quick burst of light like lightning, or the twinkling of a distant star. Figuratively, 'destello' is used to describe a sudden, brilliant manifestation of an emotion or quality, such as a 'destello de genialidad' (flash of genius) or a 'destello de esperanza' (glimmer of hope).

📚 Extra examples

  • El destello de un relámpago iluminó la habitación por un segundo.
    The flash of lightning illuminated the room for a second.
  • El anillo de diamantes emitía un hermoso destello bajo la luz.
    The diamond ring gave off a beautiful sparkle under the light.
  • En medio de la confusión, tuvo un destello de claridad y supo qué hacer.
    In the midst of the confusion, he had a flash of clarity and knew what to do.
  • Vimos los destellos de los fuegos artificiales desde nuestra ventana.
    We saw the flashes of the fireworks from our window.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'destello' comes from the verb 'destellar' (to sparkle or flash). Its power lies in its ability to capture a fleeting moment, which is why it's so often used poetically to describe not just light, but also moments of insight, intelligence, or emotion, like 'un destello de ira' (a flash of anger).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "destello"

Synonyms: brillo, fulgor, resplandor, ráfaga, centella
Opposites: oscuridad, sombra, tinieblas

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'sparkle' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'sparkle' or 'flash' as a noun is 'destello.' The verb 'to sparkle' is 'brillar' or 'destellar.'
How do you pronounce 'destello' in Spanish?
Destello is pronounced /des-TE-yo/. The stress falls on the second syllable, 'TE'. The 'll' is pronounced like the 'y' in 'yes'.
How do you use 'destello' in a sentence?
A common way to use 'destello' is to describe a quick light, for example: 'El destello del sol en el mar me cegó por un instante.' (The sparkle of the sun on the sea blinded me for an instant.)
What is the English translation of 'destello'?
The most common English translations for 'destello' are 'sparkle,' 'flash,' 'glint,' or 'gleam.'
Does 'destello' change for gender or number?
Yes, for number. 'Destello' is a masculine noun. Its singular form is 'el destello' and its plural form is 'los destellos.'
Is 'destello' common in everyday Spanish?
It is moderately common, especially in descriptive or literary contexts. While words like 'luz' (light) are more frequent, 'destello' is widely understood and used to add precision and elegance when describing brief flashes.
Does 'destello' have slang or double meanings?
'Destello' does not have any common slang or alternative meanings. Its use is consistent across both its literal and figurative senses.
Is 'destello' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the word 'destello' and its meanings are used consistently across all Spanish-speaking regions without significant variations.

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