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blinker

blinker

11 3.2
A light on a car that flashes to show which way it will turn
  • noun
  • /ˈblɪŋkər/
  • US
translation icon : intermitente
  • Before changing lanes, make sure to signal by turning on your blinker.
  • emergency blinker
  • turn on the blinker
  • blinker flashing

And it's actually not FSD because FSD would have turned off the blinker.

Examples

  • I waved to her with one hand, and she clicked on her left blinker, eased the Jeep onto the highway, and was gone.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Phil flipped on the blinker and moved into the right lane, careful to check over his shoulder and in the mirrors for other cars.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Did you just put your blinker on?

  • Want to put your blinker on?

  • The right window goes down when I put on the blinker.

  • First thing I do is put on my blinker.

  • Nelson pulled over as close to the pedestrian walk as he could and turned his blinker on.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • You don't have to put your blinker on.

  • Mara slowed at a stoplight and switched on the right blinker.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • She put on her blinker, merged, and exited.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

flashing light
vsblinker
14 2.0

A light that flashes to warn people, for example on ambulances or at crossings

is specifically the vehicle direction signal used to show intended turning
flasher
vsblinker
2 4.0

A light that turns on and off to give a signal

is mainly the vehicle direction flashing signal rather than a general message light
turn indicator
vsblinker
  • UK
1 2.3

A blinking light on a car that shows which way it will turn

is a broader flashing signal often used for direction not only on cars
trafficator
vsblinker
  • Archaic
9.0

A small blinking light on a car that shows which way it is about to turn

is the general flashing signal used to show vehicle direction in many contexts

Surface Forms

blinker singular
blinkers plural

Morphology

blinker = blink (transparent) = blink + er

This is a straightforward blink + -er formation referring to something that blinks or flashes.

Etymology

Blinker for a car light also comes from the verb blink, which means 'to shine on and off', plus '-er' for 'thing'. So a blinker is simply a light that 'blinks' to tell other drivers which way you will go.