wink

[ wingk ]

/ wɪŋk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: wink / winked / winking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to close and open one or both eyes quickly.

to 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.

verb (used with object)

to close and open (one or both eyes) quickly; execute or give (a wink).

to drive or force by winking (usually followed by back or away): She attempted to wink back the tears.

to signal or convey by a wink.

noun

an act of winking.

a winking movement, especially of one eye in giving a hint or signal.

a hint or signal given by winking.

the time required for winking 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.

Verb Phrases

wink at, to ignore deliberately, as to avoid the necessity of taking action: to wink at minor offenses.

OTHER WORDS FOR wink

3 sparkle.

See synonyms for wink on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of wink

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

synonym study for wink

1. 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. To blink suggests a sleepy, dazed, or dazzled condition in which it is difficult to focus the eyes or see clearly: Bright sun makes one blink.

OTHER WORDS FROM wink

wink·ing·ly, adverbun·wink·ing, adjective

Words nearby wink

wing tip, wing-weary, wingy, win hands down, Winifred, wink, wink at, Winkelried, winker, winkle, winkle-pickers

Other definitions for wink (2 of 2)

wink²

[ wingk ]

/ wɪŋk /

noun Games.

a disk or similar small object used in tiddlywinks.

Origin of wink

First recorded in 1890–95; extracted from tiddlywinks

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT WINK

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.

Where does wink come from?

The first records of the term wink come from before the 900s. It ultimately comes from the Old English wincian.

Often in pop culture, and occasionally in real life, a wink is used to flirt with someone and let them know you like them romantically. In contrast, the phrase wink at means to purposely ignore or close your eyes at something, as in In the movie, the police chief winked at the mob’s activities.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to wink?

unwinking (adverb)
winkingly (adjective)
winker (noun)

What are some synonyms for wink?

What are some words that share a root or word element with wink?

What are some words that often get used in discussing wink?

How is wink used in real life?

Wink is commonly used to refer to quickly closing and reopening one or both eyes on purpose.

I had a dream last night that my shoe came untied so Drake retied it, looked at me and said “God’s Plan” with a wink.

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 19, 2018

If i could wink properly i would use it so well

— Shawn Mendes (@ShawnMendes) November 4, 2014

Try using wink!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for wink?

A. gleam
B. glimmer
C. dullness
D. twinkle

How to use wink in a sentence

So already, part of the shtick is kind of a nod and a wink to like, you may be 14, but let’s pretend you’re a grown-up.
‘Drag Race’ Star Sharon Needles Terrorized a 15-Year-Old Superfan. And They Weren’t Alone.|Amy Zimmerman|December 8, 2021|The Daily Beast
In his speech on Miller’s behalf, Fehr said Miller would have used this opportunity to remind Jeter that he was once on the players’ side of the table, but that he would do so with a wink.
Marvin Miller changed baseball. He’s finally enshrined among its greats.|Chelsea Janes|September 8, 2021|Washington Post
Bardugo knows when to let the action roar, when to let emotions run high, and when to chase the theatrics with a wink and a smile.
Leigh Bardugo’s ‘Rule of Wolves’ is the latest action-packed installment in the Grishaverse saga|Ellen Morton|April 8, 2021|Washington Post
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|DAILY BEAST

But how could the most famous animal of our most beloved national park simply wink out?
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|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|DAILY BEAST
To 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|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. Locke
Alack, I cannot sleep a wink myself, so as sorrow loves sympathy, I came to have a chat with you.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Notwithstanding Mrs. Biggs's prediction that she would not sleep a wink, Eloise did sleep fairly well.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
She 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 Lloyd
I 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)

wink¹

/ (wɪŋk) /

verb

(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

noun

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 sleepSee also forty winks

tip the wink British informal to give a hint

Word Origin for wink

Old English wincian; related to Old Saxon wincon, Old High German winchan, German winken to wave. See wench, winch

British Dictionary definitions for wink (2 of 2)

wink²

/ (wɪŋk) /

noun

a disc used in the game of tiddlywinks

Word Origin for wink

C20: shortened from tiddlywinks

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with wink

wink

In addition to the idiom beginning with wink

wink at

also see:

forty winks
quick as a wink
sleep a wink

wink

OTHER WORDS FOR wink

Origin of wink

synonym study for wink

OTHER WORDS FROM wink

Words nearby wink

Other definitions for wink (2 of 2)

Origin of wink

MORE ABOUT WINK

What does wink mean?

Where does wink come from?

Did you know … ?

How is wink used in real life?

Try using wink!

Words related to wink

How to use wink in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wink (1 of 2)

Word Origin for wink

British Dictionary definitions for wink (2 of 2)

Word Origin for wink

Other Idioms and Phrases with wink