twinkling

[ twing-kling ]

noun

1. an act of shining with intermittent gleams of light.
2. the time required for a wink; an instant.
3. Archaic. winking; a wink.

twinkling

/ ˈtwɪŋklɪŋ; twɪŋk /

noun

1. a very short time; instant; moment Also calledtwinkling of an eye

Other Words From

• un·twinkling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twinkling¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; twinkle, -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see in the twinkling of an eye .

Example Sentences

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

But on a recent weekend, twinkling white lights stretched over Thornton’s main intersection, the scent of linguica sausage clung to the cool autumn air and Portuguese flags flew proudly above throngs of visitors pouring into the streets.

From Los Angeles Times

The tune was the slinking “Be Cool,” its message a bit of laid-back life-coaching: “Charm ’em / Don’t alarm ’em,” Mitchell sang, her long hair in two pigtails beneath a jaunty beret, eyes twinkling behind a stylish pair of tinted glasses.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Fountain production directed by Simon Levy, the role of Daniel Blake is played by JD Cullum, an accomplished local stage veteran with a twinkling amiability.

From Los Angeles Times