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Glite Dictionary
wink-wink

wink-wink

1 9.0
A small sign that shows a private joke or secret
  • noun
  • /wɪŋk-wɪŋk/
  • Informal
translation icon : guiño
  • Ruhl's script is billed as a comedy, and it has its share of wink-wink, nudge-nudge humor, but she is in search of other objectives here:
  • nudge and wink-wink

Examples

  • The comedian's wink-wink to the audience hinted at an inside joke that left everyone laughing.

  • Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Without the knowledge of the father: wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

    Blog text (18)

  • Could some wink, wink, nod have occurred?

    Blog text (25)

  • Well, let's just say it sounds like the kind of thing my grandfather would say (wink wink).

    Blog text (16)

  • He gave a wink-wink to his friend during the meeting, suggesting they both knew what the boss was really thinking.

  • During their conversation, she made a wink-wink remark that indicated they shared a humorous secret.

Synonyms

wink
vswink-wink
46 1.0

A quick closing and opening of one eye to signal or greet someone

focuses on implying a shared secret or joke rather than the simple act
innuendo
vswink-wink
  • NSFW
43 8.0

A remark that hints something bad about someone

is a friendly implying gesture or remark showing shared secret or joke not critical
winky
vswink-wink
  • Informal
4 9.1

A quick closing of one eye to show a secret or joke

is any indirect gesture or remark implying a shared secret not only eye signals
secret handshake
vswink-wink
4 7.2

A private hand gesture used by a group to show membership or friendship

is an informal indirect remark or small gesture between individuals not a formal ritual
wink-a-peep
vswink-wink
  • Informal
9.9

A quick playful look that shows secret understanding or gentle flirting

is an indirect signal of shared understanding beyond flirtatious cases

Antonyms

openly
303 1.6

To say or do things without hiding feelings

bluntly
40 4.6

In a direct way that is not polite

Surface Forms

wink-wink singular
wink-winks plural

Etymology

Wink-wink comes from the small action wink, which means 'to close one eye quickly', and repeating it makes the sign feel playful and secret. So a wink-wink is an indirect look or remark that shows a shared secret or joke.