twinkle

[ twing-kuhl ]

verb (used without object)

, twin·kled, twin·kling.

1. to shine with a flickering gleam of light, as a star or distant light.
2. to sparkle in the light:

   The diamond on her finger twinkled in the firelight.

3. (of the eyes) to be bright with amusement, pleasure, etc.
4. to move flutteringly and quickly, as flashes of light; flit.
5. Archaic. to wink; blink.

verb (used with object)

, twin·kled, twin·kling.

1. to emit (light) in intermittent gleams or flashes.
2. Archaic. to wink (the eyes or eyelids).

noun

1. a flickering or intermittent brightness or light.
2. a scintillating brightness in the eyes; sparkle.
3. the time required for a wink; a twinkling.
4. Archaic. a wink.

twinkle

/ ˈtwɪŋkəl /

verb

1. to emit or reflect light in a flickering manner; shine brightly and intermittently; sparkle

   twinkling stars

2. (of the eyes) to sparkle, esp with amusement or delight
3. rare.
   to move about quickly
4. rare.
   also tr to wink (the eyes); blink

noun

1. an intermittent gleam of light; flickering brightness; sparkle or glimmer
2. an instant
3. a rare word for wink 1

Derived Forms

• ˈtwinkly, adjective
• ˈtwinkler, noun

Other Words From

• twinkler noun
• un·twinkled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twinkle¹

before 900; Middle English twinklen (v.), Old English twinclian; twink, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of twinkle¹

Old English twinclian ; related to Middle High German zwinken to blink

Example Sentences

Hudson is a costume designer — an “Emmy-nominated costume designer,” he noted gravely, with a twinkle in his eye, so he’s not one to do things halfway.

From Los Angeles Times

Scrolling through local glamping sites, an eye-catching £99 "stargazing dome" deal offered a futuristic pod with a transparent canopy and breathtaking views of twinkling North Yorkshire skies.

From BBC

Grant chooses goofy professor over, say, conflicted wannabe monk, and offers, if nothing else, a reminder that a boyish smile and twinkling blue eyes are simply quirks of genetics rather than reflections of humanity.

From Los Angeles Times

During the day, Zoox riders can view the sky through the sunroof, while at night the ceiling is illuminated with small, twinkling lights à la a starry sky.

From Los Angeles Times

Sir Paul said he was "supremeley talented" and recalled how he "always had a twinkle in his eye and had a very positive, loving spirit which infected everyone who knew him".

From BBC

Related Words

• blink
• flicker
• gleam
• glint
• glisten
• glitter
• glow
• illuminate
• light up
• shimmer
• sparkle
• wink