twinkled; twinkling
ˈtwiŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 
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
1
: to cause to shine with fluctuating light
2
: to flicker or flirt rapidly
twinkled the straight, red-lacquered toes—
Glenway Wescott
Glenway Wescott2
: a rapid flashing motion : flit
3
: a wink of the eyelids
4
: the instant's duration of a wink : 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
Liam Hess, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
When the sun sets over the Sonoran Desert, the sky transforms into an awe-inspiring expanse of twinkling stars—an invitation to look up, dream big, and marvel at the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our world.
—Visit Tucson, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 5 Dec. 2024
Walking into the cozy cafe – decked out with colorful throw pillows and twinkle lights – feels like being embraced in a welcoming hug.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for twinkle
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Verb
Over his now decade-and-a-half-long career, fans of the alt-pop auteur—real name Mike Hadreas—have only seen his work grow in scale and power, evolving from twinkling piano bedroom ballads to ambitious blasts of sonic splendor that careen through the gray areas between genre.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
When the sun sets over the Sonoran Desert, the sky transforms into an awe-inspiring expanse of twinkling stars—an invitation to look up, dream big, and marvel at the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our world.
—Visit Tucson, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
These commercial-quality clear twinkle net lights are built to last for years.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 5 Dec. 2024
Walking into the cozy cafe – decked out with colorful throw pillows and twinkle lights – feels like being embraced in a welcoming hug.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for twinkle
Cite this Entry
“Twinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twinkle. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
twinkle
2 of 2 noun1
: a very short time
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