twinkle

[ twing-kuhl ]
See synonyms for: twinkletwinkling on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. (of the eyes) to be bright with amusement, pleasure, etc.

  2. to move flutteringly and quickly, as flashes of light; flit.

  3. 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.

  1. the time required for a wink; a twinkling.

  2. Archaic. a wink.

Origin of twinkle

1
before 900; Middle English twinklen (v.), Old English twinclian;see twink, -le

Other words from twinkle

  • twinkler, noun
  • un·twin·kled, adjective

Words Nearby twinkle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use twinkle in a sentence

  • Mr. twinkle was followed by Jack, who could not help smiling at the dense ignorance displayed by the previous speakers.

    Jack Harkaway in New York | Bracebridge Hemyng
  • The entrance at this moment of five additional members of the club, effectually disposed of Mr. twinkle's point of order.

    Jack Harkaway in New York | Bracebridge Hemyng
  • Captain Cannon and Mr. twinkle were in high spirits, and even Mr. Mole looked forward to some excellent sport.

    Jack Harkaway in New York | Bracebridge Hemyng
  • It was observable that Mr. twinkle trembled violently and could scarcely hold his gun.

    Jack Harkaway in New York | Bracebridge Hemyng
  • He threw himself down in the long grass, while Captain Cannon retired behind the unfortunate twinkle.

    Jack Harkaway in New York | Bracebridge Hemyng

British Dictionary definitions for twinkle

twinkle

/ (ˈtwɪŋkəl) /


verb(mainly intr)
  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

  1. rare to move about quickly

  2. (also tr) rare to wink (the eyes); blink

noun
  1. an intermittent gleam of light; flickering brightness; sparkle or glimmer

  2. an instant

  1. a rare word for wink 1

Origin of twinkle

1
Old English twinclian; related to Middle High German zwinken to blink

Derived forms of twinkle

  • twinkler, noun
  • twinkly, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012