dazzle

verb

daz·​zle ˈda-zəl 

dazzled; dazzling ˈdaz-liŋ 

ˈda-zə-liŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to lose clear vision especially from looking at bright light

2

a

: to shine brilliantly

… the woods dazzled whitely …

—Truman Capote

b

: to arouse admiration by an impressive display

She dazzles in her live concerts.

transitive verb

1

: to overpower with light

was dazzled by the camera flash

2

: to impress deeply, overpower, or confound with brilliance

dazzled us with her wit

dazzle noun

dazzler

ˈda-z(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• bedazzle
• blind
• daze

Examples of dazzle in a Sentence

Elvis always dazzled his audiences.

Visitors were dazzled by the mansion's ornate rooms.

She truly dazzles in her live concerts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, their function was to momentarily dazzle or distract enemy pilots, spoiling their missile and bomb runs. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 28 May 2025

For the occasion, Plaza dazzled in a full-length, nude, sleeveless dress embellished with gems, with the head-turning sheer ensemble revealing a matching corset underneath. —Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 24 May 2025

The reborn, unrecognizable, completely delicious Beethoven Market isn’t trying to gouge or dazzle or food-snob its way to success. —David Hochman, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Hair Dryer Take your hair from damp to dazzling with this Revlon hair dryer that also functions as a round brush. —Laura Lu, Parents, 23 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of daze

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dazzle

• razzle-dazzle

Kids Definition

dazzle

verb

daz·​zle ˈdaz-əl 

dazzled; dazzling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to overpower with light

the desert sunlight dazzled us

2

: to impress greatly or confuse with brilliance

dazzled the crowds with fiery speeches

dazzle noun

dazzler

-(ə-)lər 

noun

dazzlingly

-(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb