twinkle

1 of 2

verb

twin·​kle ˈtwiŋ-kəl How to pronounce twinkle (audio)
twinkled; twinkling ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce twinkle (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to shine with a flickering or sparkling light : scintillate
2
a
: to appear bright especially with merriment
his eyes twinkled
b
: to flutter the eyelids
3
: to flutter or flit rapidly

transitive verb

1
: to cause to shine with fluctuating light
2
: to flicker or flirt rapidly
twinkled the straight, red-lacquered toesGlenway Wescott
twinkler noun

twinkle

2 of 2

noun

1
: an intermittent radiance : flicker, sparkle
2
: a rapid flashing motion : flit
3
: a wink of the eyelids
4
: the instant's duration of a wink : twinkling
twinkly adjective

Examples of twinkle in a Sentence

Verb The lights of the city twinkled in the distance. Stars twinkle in the night sky. Her eyes twinkled with excitement. Noun We saw the twinkle of a candle in the window. in just a twinkle, the shooting star was gone
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
When the amendment passed, the crowd erupted in celebration, and the tower lit up with twinkling lights. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 His left eye is clearly missing in the image, now replaced with a prosthetic, twinkling slightly. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 For an hour and a half, the Rose mostly performed in darkness, awash in twinkling, colorful lights. Tamar Herman, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2023 The twinkling lights of Tinker's patio entrance welcome diners to a celebration of food, starting with flutes of complimentary champagne dubbed the Tinker Toast. Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 At night, when darkness drenches this community, the twinkling colors are the only lights visible. Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2024 That day also marks the conclusion of Dino in Lights, a seasonal, twinkling display. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024 In an Instagram post, the actress showed off the park's winter wonderland theme filled with twinkling lights, artificial snow, and Christmas trees. Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 While Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior collection of angelic feathers, liquidy pleated silks, and sheer pieces twinkling with hand embroidery required thousands of hours and an entire atelier, the beauty was intentionally attainable. Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2024
Noun
Engage all your senses Set the mood with lighting: Consider adding a small lamp or even twinkle lights to create an intimate atmosphere. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2024 At night, outdoor table umbrellas twinkle with lights and plenty of Florida seafood fills plates with a menu that features lots of fresh catch items along with Florida shrimp. Josie Gulliksen, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 As the twinkle of bulbous holiday ornaments fade away, the gilded glisten of the 2024 Golden Globes arrives, and EW has some bold predictions for winners in the major categories that could be handed out during Sunday's ceremony. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 5 Jan. 2024 These string lights are replete with 40 beautiful snowflake LED lights that twinkle and flash. Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023 Amusements often feels like stand-up comedy or vaudevillian variety show, but the twinkle in its performer’s eye is just peculiar enough to keep us guessing. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2023 Streets twinkle under the Christmas lights, hotels, and shops are in full-on festive mode and carols ring out in the capital. Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023 Why stare into the long, dark winter without a single twinkle? Odette Williams, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2024 Above the hotel’s entrance, twinkle lights drooped. Kamila Hrabchuk, Washington Post, 1 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twinkle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English twinclian; akin to Middle High German zwinken to blink

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of twinkle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near twinkle

Cite this Entry

“Twinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twinkle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

twinkle

1 of 2 verb
twin·​kle ˈtwiŋ-kəl How to pronounce twinkle (audio)
twinkled; twinkling -k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce twinkle (audio)
1
: to shine or cause to shine with a flickering or sparkling light
2
: to appear bright with amusement
his eyes twinkled
3
: to move or flutter rapidly
twinkler noun

twinkle

2 of 2 noun
1
: a very short time
2
twinkly adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on twinkle

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