twinkled; twinkling
ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 
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
1
: to cause to shine with fluctuating light
2
: to flicker or flirt rapidly
twinkled the straight, red-lacquered toes—
Glenway Wescott
Glenway Wescott2
: a rapid flashing motion : flit
3
: a wink of the eyelids
4
: the instant's duration of a wink : twinkling
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
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
One can tell Jupiter from Pollux because planets tend to shine with steady light, whereas stars will twinkle.
—Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Reeves has the perfect little twinkle in his eye as this well-meaning angel, but the actor is especially endearing once Gabriel has to get used to being a flesh-and-blood person.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for twinkle
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Verb
Gather friends and family in a cozy winter yurt, complete with fur blankets, warm drinks, twinkling lights, and festive bites and cocktails.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
One can tell Jupiter from Pollux because planets tend to shine with steady light, whereas stars will twinkle.
—Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
Choose from eight lighting modes—including twinkle, slow fade, steady glow, or flash—and even set an automatic shut-off timer.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Reeves has the perfect little twinkle in his eye as this well-meaning angel, but the actor is especially endearing once Gabriel has to get used to being a flesh-and-blood person.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for twinkle
Cite this Entry
“Twinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twinkle. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
twinkle
2 of 2 noun1
: a very short time
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