WINK Meaning and
Definition
-
1. A verb referring to the act of closing and immediately reopening one eye quickly, typically in a deliberate or secret manner, as a form of non-verbal communication or to convey a particular message.
2. To send a quick, subtle, or flirtatious signal by closing and reopening one eye, often accompanied by a slight smile, to indicate understanding, agreement, or an inside joke between two people.
3. To briefly close one eye as a gesture of recognition, acknowledgment, or to convey a shared understanding or agreement with someone.
4. A noun denoting the act or instance of winking, characterized by the brief closure and subsequent opening of one eye, usually as a deliberate or playful action.
5. To blink or flicker intermittently or rapidly, particularly in reference to a light source, often signifying a secret code or an invitation for attention or interaction.
6. In computing, to display or flash a visual indicator, usually a small icon or symbol, on a computer screen to represent a notification, such as a new message or alert.
7. An involuntary or spasmodic movement of one eye due to a tick or muscle disorder, typically resulting in the closure of just one eye intermittently or repeatedly.
8. As a figure of speech, wink can also refer to an act of willfully ignoring or choosing not to acknowledge something purposefully, often with a hint of mischief or collusion.
-
• To close and open the eyelids with a quick motion; to give a significant hint by a motion of the eyelids; to connive; to pretend not to see.
• The act of closing and opening the eyes with a quick motion; a hint given by a movement of the eyelids.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for WINK
Etymology of WINK
The word "wink" can be traced back to the Old English word "wincian", which means "to close the eyes" or "to blink". This Old English term further evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "winkan" and ultimately finds its roots in the Proto-Indo-European root "*weng-" or "*wank-" meaning "to bend" or "to curve". The original sense of "wink" referred to the action of closing and opening one eye quickly, often as a signal or a gesture. Over time, the word "wink" has remained relatively consistent in meaning and pronunciation.
Idioms with the word WINK
-
nudge nudge (wink wink)
The idiom "nudge nudge (wink wink)" is often used to suggest a hidden meaning or innuendo in a conversation, or to subtly imply something inappropriate or confidential. It is commonly used to indicate that one person is hinting at or insinuating something to another person, often in a playful or teasing manner. The phrase is typically accompanied by a physical gesture, such as a light tap or nudge and a wink, to further emphasize the intended meaning.
-
wink at sm
The idiom "wink at" means to deliberately ignore or disregard something wrong or improper, usually with the intention of overlooking or condoning it. It implies a tacit approval, suggesting that one is aware of the misconduct but chooses not to take any action.
-
as quick as a flash/wink
The idiom "as quick as a flash/wink" means to do something very quickly or in an instant, often referring to a sudden or swift action. It emphasizes the speed or rapidity with which something is done.
-
not get/have a wink of sleep
The idiom "not get/have a wink of sleep" means to be unable to sleep at all, not getting even a moment of rest or sleep. It indicates a complete absence of sleep or extreme difficulty in achieving any form of rest.
-
sleep a wink
To "sleep a wink" means to sleep very lightly or not at all. It refers to a short period of sleep where one is unable to fully fall asleep or experiences interrupted sleep. It implies that even a brief moment of sleep is difficult to achieve or maintain.
-
nod's as good as a wink
The idiom "a nod's as good as a wink" means that a subtle indication or hint is just as effective as explicit or detailed instructions. It suggests that sometimes a simple gesture, such as a nod of the head, can convey a message or understanding without the need for further explanation. It implies that the person receiving the gesture should be able to decipher its meaning easily.
-
A nod's as good as a wink.
The idiom "A nod's as good as a wink" means that a slight hint or indication is enough to convey understanding or agreement, even if it is not expressed explicitly. It implies that a simple gesture or allusion can effectively communicate an idea or intention without the need for further elaboration or explanation.
-
not get a wink of sleep
The idiom "not get a wink of sleep" means to be unable to sleep at all or to experience a complete lack of sleep.
-
wink at
Definition: To intentionally ignore or tolerate something, often something that is morally wrong or against the rules.
Example: Despite knowing that his employees were using company resources for personal purposes, the boss decided to wink at it as long as they met their targets.
Note: This idiom is similar to "turn a blind eye," which also means to intentionally overlook or disregard something.
-
a nudge and a wink
The idiom "a nudge and a wink" refers to a communication style or behavior that involves subtly or indirectly conveying a message or information, often between two people who are in on a secret or have an understanding. It implies a shared understanding or hidden meaning communicated through subtle gestures, hints, or signals, rather than explicitly stating something. It can be used to suggest mischief, secrecy, or complicity.
-
in the wink of an eye (or in a wink)
The idiom "in the wink of an eye" or "in a wink" means to happen very quickly or suddenly. It refers to something that occurs or is completed in an extremely fast and brief amount of time, almost instantaneously.
-
not sleep (or get) a wink (or not get a wink of sleep)
The idiom "not sleep a wink" or "not get a wink of sleep" means to have difficulty or fail to fall asleep or to have a restless night without getting any sleep at all. It refers to a situation where someone is unable to find rest or sleep throughout the night, possibly due to stress, anxiety, discomfort, or other disturbances.
-
tip the wink to sb, at tip sb the wink
The idiom "tip the wink to someone" or "tip someone the wink" refers to giving someone a subtle or secretive signal or clue about something, typically to convey information or coordinate actions without others noticing. It can be used to indicate sharing confidential or privileged information, or to indicate the need for caution.
-
(as) quick as a wink
The idiom "(as) quick as a wink" is used to describe something that happens very quickly or instantaneously, often referring to a task, action, or reaction that requires minimal time or effort. It emphasizes the speed or swiftness of the event, implying that it occurs without delay or hesitation.
-
a nod and a wink
The idiom "a nod and a wink" refers to a situation where people share an understanding or engage in a subtle form of communication without explicitly stating or acknowledging something. It typically involves a nod (a slight movement of the head) and a wink (a quick closing and opening of one eye) to convey a hidden message or agreement. This idiom suggests a secretive or conspiratorial nature, where information or actions are communicated in a covert manner.
-
in the wink of an eye
The idiom "in the wink of an eye" is used to express something that happens very quickly or within a short period of time. It implies that an event or action occurs almost instantaneously, often without notice or warning.
-
wink sth away
The idiom "wink something away" typically means to dismiss or ignore something, often a problem or an issue, in a casual or nonchalant manner. It implies downplaying the significance or implications of something and treating it lightly.
-
tip sb the wink
The idiom "to tip someone the wink" means to signal or give someone a discreet hint or secret information, often through a gesture or a knowing look, in order to convey a message or assist in a covert action. It implies a tacit understanding between the individuals involved.
-
not get a wink of sleep, at not sleep a wink
The idiom "not get a wink of sleep" or "not sleep a wink" means to be unable to fall asleep or to have a sleepless night. It denotes a situation where someone is unable to get any rest or sleep.
-
wink at sth
The idiom "wink at something" means to deliberately ignore or condone something, usually a questionable or improper action, without taking any actions or expressing disapproval. It implies turning a blind eye to something that should be addressed or punished.
-
nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse
The idiom "a nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse" means that even a subtle hint or signal is enough to convey a message to someone who is already fully aware of the situation. It implies that the recipient of the hint or signal is already knowledgeable about the subject or is able to understand the intended meaning without further explanation.
-
wink away
The idiom "wink away" means to dismiss or disregard something, typically by making light of it or pretending it is not important. It implies intentionally or mockingly disregarding someone or something.
-
a nod is as good as a wink
The idiom "a nod is as good as a wink" means that a subtle hint or insignificant gesture can convey the same message as a more obvious or direct action. It suggests that a simple indication or understanding between people is sufficient, as long as both parties recognize the unspoken meaning.
-
not sleep a wink
The idiom "not sleep a wink" means to be unable to sleep at all, not being able to close one's eyes or achieve any rest during a specific period of time.
-
*quick as a wink
The idiom "quick as a wink" means very fast or in a very short amount of time.
Similar spelling words for WINK
Conjugate verb Wink
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have winked
you
would have winked
he/she/it
would have winked
we
would have winked
they
would have winked
I
would have wink
you
would have wink
he/she/it
would have wink
we
would have wink
they
would have wink
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been winking
you
would have been winking
he/she/it
would have been winking
we
would have been winking
they
would have been winking
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would wink
you
would wink
he/she/it
would wink
we
would wink
they
would wink
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be winking
you
would be winking
he/she/it
would be winking
we
would be winking
they
would be winking
FUTURE
I
will wink
you
will wink
he/she/it
will wink
we
will wink
they
will wink
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be winking
you
will be winking
he/she/it
will be winking
we
will be winking
they
will be winking
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have winked
you
will have winked
he/she/it
will have winked
we
will have winked
they
will have winked
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been winking
you
will have been winking
he/she/it
will have been winking
we
will have been winking
they
will have been winking
IMPERATIVE
you
wink
we
let´s wink
to wink
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was winking
you
were winking
he/she/it
was winking
we
were winking
they
were winking
PAST PARTICIPLE
winked
PAST PERFECT
I
had winked
you
had winked
he/she/it
had winked
we
had winked
they
had winked
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been winking
you
had been winking
he/she/it
had been winking
we
had been winking
they
had been winking
PRESENT
I
wink
you
wink
he/she/it
winks
we
wink
they
wink
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am winking
you
are winking
he/she/it
is winking
we
are winking
they
are winking
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
winking
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have winked
you
have winked
he/she/it
has winked
we
have winked
they
have winked
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been winking
you
have been winking
he/she/it
has been winking
we
have been winking
they
have been winking
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
wink
SIMPLE PAST
I
winked
you
winked
he/she/it
winked
we
winked
they
winked
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
