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

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

Bennett, Roy and five of the Mr. Christmas hopefuls gathered at Rolf’s German Restaurant in Manhattan, a kitschy, Christmas-themed establishment that feels like a cave decorated by Mrs. Claus, with a whirl of twinkle lights, gleaming metallic ornaments and faux-evergreen branches dripping from the ceiling.

From Los Angeles Times

“Does it,” Massry prompts, with a twinkle in his eye.

From Slate

He noted that Payne’s son, Bear, has his smile and “that twinkle in his eyes” that Payne had: “He will be so proud of everything you achieved and how you achieved it.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added: "I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have. And he will be so proud of everything that you have achieved. And how you achieved it."

From BBC

Related Words

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