twinkle
TWIHNG-kuhl
Twinkle (verb) means to shine with a flickering, sparkling light. Example: “The stars twinkled brightly over the desert.”
verb
1
To shine with a flickering, sparkling light.
"The stars twinkled brightly over the desert."
"Christmas lights twinkled along the street."
noun
1
A flicker or sparkle of light, or of delight in someone's eyes.
"There was a twinkle in his eye as he told the joke."
How to use twinkle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sparkle with flickering light, or a look of amusement in someone's eyes.
Common pairings
twinkle in his eye
stars twinkle
twinkling lights
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Word forms
- Plural
- twinkles
- Third person singular
- twinkles
- Past tense
- twinkled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The stars _____ brightly over the desert.
Etymology
From Old English twinclian ("to twinkle"), built from an older word for winking or blinking plus a suffix suggesting repeated small movements.
Related words
Rhymes for twinkle
See all rhymes for twinkle →Frequently asked questions
What does “twinkle” mean?
The word “twinkle” means to shine with a flickering, sparkling light. In plain terms, to sparkle with flickering light, or a look of amusement in someone's eyes.
How do you pronounce “twinkle”?
“Twinkle” is pronounced TWIHNG-kuhl (/ˈtwɪŋ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “twinkle” in a sentence?
Here is “twinkle” used in a sentence: “The stars twinkled brightly over the desert.”
What part of speech is “twinkle”?
Depending on how it is used, “twinkle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “twinkle” come from?
The word “twinkle” comes from Old English. From Old English twinclian ("to twinkle"), built from an older word for winking or blinking plus a suffix suggesting repeated small movements.
Is “twinkle” a common word?
“Twinkle” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “twinkle” have?
“Twinkle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shine with a flickering, sparkling light.
