What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scintillate
Example
The stars scintillated in the clear night sky. [scintillated: verb]
Example
The comedian's jokes scintillated the audience, making them laugh uncontrollably. [scintillated: past tense]
twinkle
Example
The stars twinkled in the dark sky, creating a magical atmosphere. [twinkled: verb]
Example
Her eyes twinkled with joy when she saw her surprise birthday party. [twinkled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Twinkle is more commonly used than scintillate in everyday language. Twinkle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scintillate is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scintillate and twinkle?
Scintillate is typically associated with a formal tone, while twinkle is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.