# twinkling

/ˈtwɪŋkəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /twˈɪŋklɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/twinkling
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

the way a light or a star shines with a quick, bright flash. It can also describe the way someone's eyes look when they are happy or smiling.

For teachers: the act of flashing or flickering with a bright, quick light; also refers to the sparkling quality of a person's eyes. Often used to describe the visual effect of distant stars or the expression of amusement.

## Examples

- The twinkling of the stars was beautiful tonight.
- She looked at him with a twinkling in her eye that suggested she was hiding a secret.
- The poet described the twilight sky as a canvas of twinkling lights, each star a distant sun whose light had traveled for centuries to reach the observer's eye.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.