noun
twinkling
TWIHNGK-lihng
Twinkling (noun) means a very brief moment, notionally as short as the blink of an eye. Example: “The whole plan fell apart in the twinkling of an eye.”
noun
1
A very brief moment, notionally as short as the blink of an eye.
"The housework was done in a twinkling."
"The whole plan fell apart in the twinkling of an eye."
2
A shimmering, intermittent glow of light.
"The lake showed the twinkling of moonlight on its surface."
How to use twinkling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn instant, or a sparkling flicker of light.
Common pairings
in the twinkling of an eye
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Word forms
- Plural
- twinklings
- Comparative
- more twinkling
- Superlative
- most twinkling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whole plan fell apart in the _____ of an eye.
Etymology
It comes from Middle English twynkelynge, equivalent to twinkle plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for twinkling
See all rhymes for twinkling →Frequently asked questions
What does “twinkling” mean?
The word “twinkling” means a very brief moment, notionally as short as the blink of an eye. In plain terms, an instant, or a sparkling flicker of light.
How do you pronounce “twinkling”?
“Twinkling” is pronounced TWIHNGK-lihng (/ˈtwɪŋklɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “twinkling” in a sentence?
Here is “twinkling” used in a sentence: “The whole plan fell apart in the twinkling of an eye.”
What part of speech is “twinkling”?
“Twinkling” is a noun.
How many meanings does “twinkling” have?
“Twinkling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very brief moment, notionally as short as the blink of an eye.
