[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/twinkle/)

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# twinkle

verb (twinkle, twinkles, twinkled, twinkling); noun (a twinkle)

«twinkle» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To twinkle is to shine with a light that flickers, getting brighter and dimmer quickly, as stars do. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#m1)
2. If someone's eyes twinkle, they look bright and happy, often because the person is amused. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#m2)
3. A twinkle is a small flickering light, or a happy, cheeky look in the eyes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#m3)
4. «In the twinkling of an eye» means very quickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#m4)

### In the lessons

In science lessons stars twinkle because their light is bent by moving air in the atmosphere; planets twinkle much less, which helps you tell them apart. In music, children learn «Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star». In stories «a twinkle in his eye» shows kindness, fun or a secret joke. Phrases: «a twinkle in your eye», «twinkle like stars», «in the twinkling of an eye».

### Examples

- The stars twinkle in the night sky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x1)
- The fairy lights twinkled on the tree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x2)
- Grandpa's eyes twinkled when he told the joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x3)
- Planets don't twinkle as much as stars. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x4)
- We sang «Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x5)
- The lights of the town twinkled below the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x6)
- In the twinkling of an eye, the cake was gone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x7)
- The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/#x8)

### Note

Past: twinkled. Adjective/noun: twinkling. Trap: stars do not really switch on and off; the twinkling happens in Earth's air.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «twinkle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/twinkle/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«twinkle» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/twinkle.html) on Mova free.