wink

¹ American  

[wingk] / wɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

1. to close and open one eye quickly as a hint or signal or with some sly meaning (often followed byat ).

   She winked at him across the room.

2. to shine with little flashes of light; twinkle.

   The city lights winked in the distance.

   Synonyms:

   sparkle

3. to close and open one or both eyes quickly.

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verb (used with object)

1. to signal or convey by closing and opening one eye quickly.

   Wink one eye if you need help later.

2. to close and open (one or both eyes) quickly.

3. to drive or force by opening and closing the eyes rapidly (usually followed by back oraway ).

   She attempted to wink back the tears.

noun

1. 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.

2. a hint or signal given by closing and opening one eye rapidly.

   Her wink assured me the plan was still on.

3. an act of closing and opening one eye rapidly.

4. the time required for closing and opening the eyes once; an instant or twinkling.

   I'll be there in a wink.

5. a little flash of light; twinkle.

6. the least bit.

   I didn't sleep a wink last night.

verb phrase

1. wink at to ignore deliberately, as to avoid the necessity of taking action.

   to wink at minor offenses.

wink ² American  

[wingk] / wɪŋk /

noun

Games.

1. a disk or similar small object used in tiddlywinks.

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wink ¹ British  

/ wɪŋk /

verb

1. (intr) to close and open one eye quickly, deliberately, or in an exaggerated fashion to convey friendliness, etc

2. to close and open (an eye or the eyes) momentarily

3. (tr; foll by away, back, etc) to force away (tears, etc) by winking

4. (tr) to signal with a wink

5. (intr) (of a light) to gleam or flash intermittently

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noun

1. a winking movement, esp one conveying a signal, etc, or such a signal

2. an interrupted flashing of light

3. a brief moment of time; instant

4. informal the smallest amount, esp of sleep See also forty winks

5. informal to give a hint

wink ² British  

/ wɪŋk /

noun

1. a disc used in the game of tiddlywinks

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wink Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing wink

• forty winks
• quick as a wink
• sleep a wink

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Usage

What does wink mean? To wink is to close and reopen one or both eyes quickly, often as a subtle signal or hint to someone. To wink is also to shine with little flashes of light (to twinkle), as in Naomi gazed up at the winking stars and sighed. To wink can also mean to blink, but often it is reserved for the blinking of one eye. A wink is the act of winking. A wink is also the time it takes to wink. This is often used figuratively rather than literally, as in This year went by in a wink!A wink can also mean the least bit, as in I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. Because a wink is normally quick, the example sentence implies you didn’t get the smallest bit of sleep. Example: She winked at me from the other room, signalling that it’s time to leave.

Synonym Usage

Wink, blink refer to rapid motions of the eyelid. To wink is to close and open either one or both eyelids with a rapid motion, often intentionally or as a signal. To blink suggests an involuntary movement, sometimes due to a sleepy, dazed, or dazzled condition in which it is difficult to focus the eyes or see clearly: Bright sun makes most people blink.

Other Word Forms

• unwinking
  adjective
• winkingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of wink¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb winken, Old English wincian; cognate with German winken “to wave, signal”; the noun is derivative of the verb

Origin of wink²

First recorded in 1890–95; extracted from tiddlywinks

Explanation

When you wink, you quickly close and open one eye. Sometimes a wink indicates a joke, a secret, or affection — and sometimes it just means you got something in your eye. Whenever your jokester uncle winks at you, it's like a private signal letting you know that the next thing he says will be a tall tale. Your best friend's wink might mean "Can you believe what the math teacher just said?" A wink is an often humorous way to communicate without speaking — but it requires some understanding between the winker and the person seeing the wink. Otherwise, it's nothing but an eye twitch.

Example Sentences

But every once in a while, we get a little wink, an ounce of good luck, an unearned gift, a happy accident, and this recipe falls in that category.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

His last major film role came in 2012 with The Expendables 2, where his appearance functioned largely as a wink to the internet persona that eclipsed him.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

For some game men, that means awfully bright trousers, worn with a wink.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

"My heart was in the pit of my stomach. I did not sleep a wink that entire evening. I felt physically sick," Olde says.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

I watched them appear and wink and fade, and I smiled.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

• gleam
• glimmer
• twinkle