scintillate | scintillation | scintillating

If you ‘scintillate’ somebody, you dazzle or impress them with your liveliness or wit. The term is derived from the Latin word for ‘spark’, so a good way to remember how to use it is to think of it as something that causes somebody else to figuratively light up. Often used in relation to a performer of some kind.

1. The classical pianist has the ability to scintillate audiences with his flair and extraordinary natural ability.

2. The lecturer’s delivery may lack panache or scintillation, but she has a very strong command of the facts.

3. I thoroughly enjoyed the banquet. Not only was there great food, there was also scintillating conversation.