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wink
1[ wingk ]
verb (used without object)
- 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.
Synonyms: sparkle
- to close and open one or both eyes quickly.
verb (used with object)
- to signal or convey by closing and opening one eye quickly:
Wink one eye if you need help later.
- to close and open (one or both eyes) quickly.
- to drive or force by opening and closing the eyes rapidly (usually followed by back or away ):
She attempted to wink back the tears.
noun
- 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.
- a hint or signal given by closing and opening one eye rapidly:
Her wink assured me the plan was still on.
- an act of closing and opening one eye rapidly.
- the time required for closing and opening the eyes 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 phrase
- to ignore deliberately, as to avoid the necessity of taking action:
to wink at minor offenses.
wink
2[ wingk ]
noun
- a disk or similar small object used in tiddlywinks.
wink
1/ wɪŋk /
noun
- a disc used in the game of tiddlywinks
wink
2/ 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
- See forty winksinformal.the smallest amount, esp of sleep See also forty winks
- tip the wink informal.tip the wink to give a hint
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Other Words From
- wink·ing·ly adverb
- un·wink·ing adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of wink1
Origin of wink2
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Word History and Origins
Origin of wink1
Origin of wink2
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Idioms and Phrases
In addition to the idiom beginning with wink , also see forty winks ; quick as a wink ; sleep a wink .Discover More
Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
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.
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.
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.
It was another of the nudge, nudge, wink, wink jokes that summed up the entire enterprise.
But how could the most famous animal of our most beloved national park simply wink out?
And we also have to be careful to not do it in a way that feels cheap or just a wink.
“You just have to say it was off the table, instead of appealing to the wink-and-nod crowd” as he is doing.
To add insult to injury, Ronaldo seemed to wink at his bench after Rooney was sent off.
Aristide prayed that some Thaïs might come along, cast her spell upon him, and induce him to wink.
Alack, I cannot sleep a wink myself, so as sorrow loves sympathy, I came to have a chat with you.
Notwithstanding Mrs. Biggs's prediction that she would not sleep a wink, Eloise did sleep fairly well.
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.
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.
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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?
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
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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