wink
1to close and open one eye quickly as a hint or signal or with some sly meaning (often followed by at): She winked at him across the room.
to shine with little flashes of light; twinkle: The city lights winked in the distance.
to close and open one or both eyes quickly.
to signal or convey by closing and opening one eye quickly: Wink one eye if you need help later.
to close and open (one or both eyes) quickly.
to drive or force by opening and closing the eyes rapidly (usually followed by back or away): She attempted to wink back the tears.
a winking movement, especially of one eye in giving a hint or signal:I gave the judges a wink of my eye to show my confidence.
a hint or signal given by closing and opening one eye rapidly: Her wink assured me the plan was still on.
an act of closing and opening one eye rapidly.
the time required for closing and opening the eyes once; an instant or twinkling: I'll be there in a wink.
a little flash of light; twinkle.
the least bit: I didn't sleep a wink last night.
wink at, to ignore deliberately, as to avoid the necessity of taking action: to wink at minor offenses.
Origin of wink
1synonym study For wink
Other words for wink
Other words from wink
- wink·ing·ly, adverb
- un·wink·ing, adjective
Words Nearby wink
Other definitions for wink (2 of 2)
a disk or similar small object used in tiddlywinks.
Origin of wink
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wink in a sentence
It was another of the nudge, nudge, wink, wink jokes that summed up the entire enterprise.
Britain’s Record-Breaking Face-Sitting Porn Protest | Nico Hines | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut how could the most famous animal of our most beloved national park simply wink out?
And we also have to be careful to not do it in a way that feels cheap or just a wink.
The Leaner, Meaner Season 2 of ‘Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ | Jason Lynch | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“You just have to say it was off the table, instead of appealing to the wink-and-nod crowd” as he is doing.
Pelosi to Boehner: I Quashed Impeachment, and So Can You | Eleanor Clift | August 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo add insult to injury, Ronaldo seemed to wink at his bench after Rooney was sent off.
Why It’s Still OK to Hate Sexy Bastard Cristiano Ronaldo After He Saved Team USA | Emily Shire | June 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Aristide prayed that some Thaïs might come along, cast her spell upon him, and induce him to wink.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeAlack, I cannot sleep a wink myself, so as sorrow loves sympathy, I came to have a chat with you.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieNotwithstanding Mrs. Biggs's prediction that she would not sleep a wink, Eloise did sleep fairly well.
The Cromptons | Mary J. HolmesShe laughed so hard that she blew the ashes out of her pipe, and they showered down over my face, and made me wink and sputter.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydI shall be so afraid that the roof will tumble in, or somebody come down the chimney to catch me, that I shant sleep a wink.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline | Jennie M. Drinkwater
British Dictionary definitions for wink (1 of 2)
/ (wɪŋk) /
(intr) to close and open one eye quickly, deliberately, or in an exaggerated fashion to convey friendliness, etc
to close and open (an eye or the eyes) momentarily
(tr; foll by away, back, etc) to force away (tears, etc) by winking
(tr) to signal with a wink
(intr) (of a light) to gleam or flash intermittently
a winking movement, esp one conveying a signal, etc, or such a signal
an interrupted flashing of light
a brief moment of time; instant
informal the smallest amount, esp of sleep: See also forty winks
tip the wink British informal to give a hint
Origin of wink
1British Dictionary definitions for wink (2 of 2)
/ (wɪŋk) /
a disc used in the game of tiddlywinks
Origin of wink
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with wink
In addition to the idiom beginning with wink
- wink at
also see:
- forty winks
- quick as a wink
- sleep a wink
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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