twinkle

[twing-kuhl]

verb (used without object)

twinkled, twinkling 

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)

twinkled, twinkling 

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

Other Word Forms

• twinkly adjective
• twinkler noun
• untwinkled 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

With a twinkle in her eye, she recalls one groom who was confident he could make it through a reading, only to nearly collapse in tears at the sight of his bride.

From BBC

"It's his laugh, right? He has such a hearty laugh. And sometimes you'll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and I just get transported."

From BBC

He performs with an affectionate twinkle in his eye, offering understanding even when his jealousy is put to the severest test.

From Los Angeles Times

But this is transformation in a relative twinkle.

From BBC

“That was the last time I saw the twinkle in my friend’s eye,” Schilling, 83, says of the sit-down with Streisand.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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