to wink

Examples

• All

• I think girls can wink, but guys can't wink because it's it's not cool.

• Glancing up from the table, I was taken aback to see Natalie wink at me and smile.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Which, which eye do I wink on anyway?

  Club Shay Shay

• And when no one's looking, I'll wink to let you know we're okay.

  Girl in Progress (2012)

• "Has Robin been keeping you up at night?" He winked at Francis.

  Fiction book (1990)

• As we passed by him to go to the waiting room, he winked and gave her a high-five.

  Academic text (2009)

• "Everybody all set?" he asked, winking at Cody and me.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I caught Anna's eye, and she winked and hid a smile by bending over Bear.

  Fiction book (1991)

• He winked at ya?

  The Crow (1994)

• She winked at her friend to signal that everything was fine.

Synonyms

W

to wink at

vsto wink

37 5.6

To close one eye briefly to show playful interest

is a general quick close and open of one eye, not only for signaling

G

to give (someone) the eye

vsto wink

12 8.4

Look at someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest

is a quick eye close and open rather than a look expressing attraction

B

to bat

vsto wink

12 7.4

To quickly close and open the eyelids as a sign

is a quick close and open of one eye used as a signal

P

to palpebrate

vsto wink

9.9

To close and open the eyelids quickly, often several times

is a single quick close and open rather than repeated blinking

B

to bat one's eyes

vsto wink

• Informal

6.9

To move your eyelashes quickly in a playful way to get what you want

is a quick eye close and open without emphasis on eyelash flutter

Idioms

S

to sleep a wink

• Informal

11 5.7

To get any sleep, usually said when someone did not sleep

W

wink of an eye

• Informal

2 3.8

In a very short time

I

in the wink of an eye

• Informal

1 3.5

Very quickly, in an instant

N

to not sleep a wink

• Informal

1 5.0

Not sleep at all during the night

N

nudge nudge wink wink

• NSFW

1 9.9

Hint at something in a joking way with a wink or small gesture

A

a nod's as good as a wink

• Archaic

1 9.9

A small gesture, like a nod or smile, that shows agreement and tells someone to act

Phrasal Verbs

W

to wink at

37 5.6

To close one eye briefly to show playful interest

W

to wink at

4 7.5

To pretend not to see something bad to show approval

C

to catch a wink

1 5.5

To sleep for a short time, often during the day

T

to tip the wink

• Informal

1 9.9

To give someone a secret signal or hint

Compounds

W

wink-wink

• Informal

13 9.0

A small sign that shows a private joke or secret

S

smexy wink

• NSFW

9.9

A short playful closing of one eye to show interest or fun

W

wink-a-peep

• Informal

9.9

A quick playful look that shows secret understanding or gentle flirting

How Intentional

to wink

74 1.0

to flutter

1 3.7

blink

58 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology