I. twin ‧ kle 1 /ˈtwɪŋk ə l/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: twinclian ]
1 . if a star or light twinkles, it shines in the dark with an unsteady light:
stars twinkling in the sky
I saw lights twinkling in the little town below us.
2 . if someone’s eyes twinkle, they have a happy expression
twinkle with
Her eyes twinkled with amusement.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to produce light
▪ shine to produce bright light:
The sun was shining.
▪ flash to shine brightly for a very short time, or to shine on and off very quickly many times:
Lightning flashed across the sky.
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The police car’s lights were flashing.
▪ glare to shine with a very strong light which hurts your eyes:
The sun glared in her eyes.
▪ flicker to shine with an unsteady light – used about a flame or light:
The candle flickered and went out.
▪ twinkle if stars or lights twinkle, they shine in the dark in a way that seems to change from bright to faint, especially because you are a long way away from them:
stars twinkling in the sky
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The harbour lights twinkled in the distance.
▪ glow especially literary to shine with a warm soft light:
Lights glowed in the windows.
▪ blaze literary to shine very brightly:
The lights of the factory were still blazing.
II. twinkle 2 BrE AmE noun [countable usually singular]
1 . a twinkle in your eye an expression in your eyes that shows you are happy or amused:
a kindly, white-haired old gentleman with a twinkle in his eye
2 . a small bright shining light that becomes brighter and then fainter