Meaning & use
divine spark
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Meanings
nounsingularreligion
A small part of God or the sacred believed to live inside every human being.
Grammar: Usually singular and used with 'the' or a possessive: the divine spark within us.
Patterns
- the divine spark in someone
- the divine spark within someone
Many traditions teach that a divine spark lives in every person.
The poem celebrates the divine spark within all living things.
He believed the divine spark in each child deserved respect.
nounsingularfigurative
An extraordinary creative talent or flash of inspiration that seems to come from beyond ordinary effort.
Grammar: Used figuratively, often about art, music or genius: she has the divine spark.
Patterns
- have the divine spark
- lack the divine spark
Critics said the young pianist had the divine spark.
Years of practice cannot replace the divine spark of true genius.
The painting lacks the divine spark that makes a masterpiece.
Common combinations
- the divine spark within
- She spoke of the divine spark within every human being.
- possess a divine spark
- He seemed to possess a divine spark when he sang.
- ignite the divine spark
- Great teachers ignite the divine spark in their students.
- lack the divine spark
- The performance was technically perfect but lacked the divine spark.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inspiration
- Inspiration is the everyday word for a creative impulse, while divine spark suggests something almost sacred.
- genius
- Genius names the talent itself, whereas divine spark pictures it as a gift from a higher source.
- soul
- Soul refers to the spiritual part of a person in general, while divine spark stresses a sacred element placed within.
Word family
Commonly confused: divine spark or spark of life?
divine spark vs spark of life
Spark of life means the thing that makes something alive, with no necessary religious meaning, while divine spark specifically points to the sacred.
Practice
The critic wrote that the young violinist 'has the divine ____' that cannot be taught.
Choose one answer.
Divine spark is the fixed phrase for an inspired, almost sacred talent. Sparkle describes shine and does not form this phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “divine spark”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.