destello
“destello” means “flash” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
flash
Also: glimmer, sparkle
📝 In Action
Vi un destello de luz en la oscuridad del bosque.
A2I saw a flash of light in the darkness of the forest.
El destello de los diamantes me dejó impresionado.
B1The sparkle of the diamonds left me impressed.
Las estrellas producen pequeños destellos en el cielo nocturno.
B2The stars produce tiny glimmers in the night sky.
glimmer
Also: flash, spark
📝 In Action
Hubo un destello de esperanza al final de la reunión.
B1There was a glimmer of hope at the end of the meeting.
Tuvo un destello de genialidad y resolvió el problema.
B2He had a flash of genius and solved the problem.
Vi un destello de tristeza en sus ojos.
C1I saw a spark of sadness in her eyes.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: destello
Question 1 of 3
Which phrase means 'a glimmer of hope'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish verb 'destellar', which originally comes from a Latin word meaning 'to drip' (distillare). Imagine drops of light falling, which turned into the idea of flashes.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'brillo' and 'destello'?
'Brillo' is a constant shine or brightness (like a polished floor), while 'destello' is a quick, sudden burst of light (like a camera flash or a star twinkling).
Can 'destello' be used for people?
Yes, figuratively! You can say someone has a 'destello de genialidad' (a flash of genius) to describe a moment where they were very smart.
Is 'destello' the same as 'rayo'?
No. A 'rayo' is a beam of light (like a laser or sunbeam) or a lightning bolt. A 'destello' is just the sudden flash of light, not necessarily a long line.