verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

wink

WIHNGK

Wink (verb) means to close and quickly reopen one eye as a signal, joke, or private message to someone. Example: “She winked at him across the table so only he would notice.”

verb

To close and quickly reopen one eye as a signal, joke, or private message to someone.

"She winked at him across the table so only he would notice."

"The waiter winked and slipped us the last slice for free."

To blink both eyes quickly, often without meaning to.

"The bright flash made him wink involuntarily."

Followed by "at": to deliberately ignore something, pretending not to notice.

"The manager winked at the minor rule-breaking as long as sales stayed high."

To flicker or gleam unsteadily, like a light in the distance.

"Stars winked through gaps in the clouds."

noun

The act of winking, or the private signal sent by doing so.

"He gave her a knowing wink as he left the room."

A very short amount of sleep, especially in the phrase "forty winks."

"I just need forty winks before the drive home."

How to use wink

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishQuickly closing one eye (or both) — usually on purpose, to signal a joke, secret, or flirtation.

Common mistake

"Wink at" someone (a signal) is different from "wink at" a problem (turning a blind eye to it) — context makes the meaning clear.

Common pairings

give a wink wink at each other forty winks a knowing wink

Word forms

winked past tense, winks plural, winks plural, winks plural, winks singular

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She _____ at him across the table so only he would notice.

Etymology

From Old English wincian, "to close the eyes, blink, or make a sign," going back to a Proto-Germanic root shared with words meaning to bend or bow.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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nictitate

Related words

blink

Rhymes for wink

ink pink link mink sink kink dink fink rink tink bink drink

See all rhymes for wink →

Frequently asked questions

What does “wink” mean?

The word “wink” means to close and quickly reopen one eye as a signal, joke, or private message to someone. In plain terms, quickly closing one eye (or both) — usually on purpose, to signal a joke, secret, or flirtation.

How do you pronounce “wink”?

“Wink” is pronounced WIHNGK (/ˈwɪŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “wink” in a sentence?

Here is “wink” used in a sentence: “She winked at him across the table so only he would notice.”

What is another word for “wink”?

Words with a similar meaning to “wink” include nictitate.

What part of speech is “wink”?

Depending on how it is used, “wink” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “wink” come from?

The word “wink” comes from Old English. From Old English wincian, "to close the eyes, blink, or make a sign," going back to a Proto-Germanic root shared with words meaning to bend or bow.

Is “wink” a common word?

“Wink” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “wink” have?

“Wink” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to close and quickly reopen one eye as a signal, joke, or private message to someone.

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