Definition

1. Noun:

   • A small, thin, often circular piece of shiny material, such as sequin or metal foil, used as a decorative ornament on clothing or other items.
   • (Less common) A small, glittering object or spot that resembles such a decoration.

2. Verb:

   • To decorate or adorn something by attaching or covering it with spangles.
   • To glitter or sparkle as if covered with spangles.

Usage

• Noun: Used to refer to the individual decorative piece itself.
• Verb: Used to describe the action of applying these decorations or the resulting sparkling effect.

Examples

• Noun:

  • Her dress was covered in silver spangles that caught the light.
  • The costume designer sorted through a box of colorful spangles.

• Verb:

  • They decided to spangle the costume for a more dazzling stage effect.
  • The night sky spangled with countless stars.

Advanced Usage

• "to be spangled with": To be decorated or dotted with many small, shiny objects.
  • The banner was spangled with golden stars.
• The verb form can be used figuratively to describe anything that glitters or sparkles profusely.
  • The frost spangled the grass in the morning sun.

Variants and Related Words

• Spangled (adj): Decorated with or as if with spangles.
  • A spangled evening gown.
• Spangly (adj): Resembling or characteristic of spangles; glittery.
  • A spangly top.

Synonyms

• Noun: sequin, paillette, glitter, diamante.
• Verb: bespangle, stud, decorate with sequins, bedizen, glitter, sparkle.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Star-spangled: Covered or decorated with stars, often implying a glittering or splendid display. Most famously used in "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.
  • The star-spangled sky was a magnificent sight.

Noun

1. adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material used to decorate clothing

Verb

1. decorate with spangles
   • the star-spangled banner
2. glitter as if covered with spangles