twinkling

American  

[twing-kling] / ˈtwɪŋ klɪŋ /

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 British  

/ ˈtwɪŋklɪŋ, twɪŋk /

noun

1. Also called: twinkling of an eye.  a very short time; instant; moment

---

twinkling Idioms  

1. see in the twinkling of an eye.

---

Other Word Forms

• untwinkling adjective

Etymology

Origin of twinkling

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

Example Sentences

Over tens of thousands of years, Kalas explained, the region around Fomalhaut would appear to be filled with glowing debris, "sparkling with these collisions" -- similar to twinkling holiday lights.

From Science Daily

Over time, they detected slow but pronounced changes in this twinkling behavior, known as scintillation.

From Science Daily

The Christmas lights are still twinkling in the town, but several bars closed their doors out of respect.

From Barron's

And each year, when the twinkling holiday lights fade to a hazy glow and the gingerbread is nothing more than crumbs, I thank copyright law for giving me my favorite Christmas tradition: Ebony Scrooge.

From Salon

"She went to sleep and woke up to find her ward covered in twinkling lights and decorations. She had a stocking packed with gifts."

From BBC