twinkle

1 of 2

verb

twin·​kle ˈtwiŋ-kəl 

twinkled; twinkling ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 

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 toes

—Glenway Wescott

twinkler

ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)lər 

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

ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• flash
• flicker
• sparkle

Noun

• minute
• heartbeat
• second
• moment
• 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

Verb

The 'Ghost Bush' open star cluster is also visible to the upper right of the Fireworks galaxy, twinkling with the light of countless gravitationally bound stellar bodies. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 16 July 2025

After dinner, guests can gather around the crackling fire and enjoy time under the twinkling stars. —Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025

Noun

Disney’s Imagineers have upped their game with this figure, crafting a believable Walt with an arched eyebrow, drumming fingers and a twinkle in his eye. —Robert Niles, Oc Register, 15 July 2025

As much as has been said about the future of Nashville’s East Bank, tangible change is still mostly a twinkle in the city’s eye. —Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing twinkle

• a twinkle in one's eye
• in the twinkle/twinkling of an eye

Rhymes for twinkle

• crinkle
• sprinkle
• tinkle
• winkle
• wrinkle
• periwinkle

Kids Definition

twinkle

1 of 2 verb

twin·​kle ˈtwiŋ-kəl 

twinkled; twinkling -k(ə-)liŋ 

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

-k(ə-)lər 

noun

twinkle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a very short time

2

: sparkle entry 2 sense 1, flicker

twinkly

-k(ə-)lē 

adjective