Blink: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ˜‰
Add to dictionary

blink

 

[blษชล‹k ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

quick action

To close and open one or both eyes quickly, or to shine with a light that comes on and off quickly.

Synonyms

flash, twinkle, wink.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
blink

When you quickly open and close your eyes, often due to irritation or to clear them.

  • She blinked rapidly to get rid of the dust that had entered her eyes.
  • He blinked in disbelief at the unexpected news.
wink

When you close and open one eye quickly, typically to signal a hidden message, joke, or friendliness.

  • He winked at her to let her know he was joking.
  • She gave a playful wink before leaving.
twinkle

Used to describe a light that shines with a flickering or sparkling effect, often used with stars or expression in the eyes.

  • The stars twinkled in the night sky.
  • There was a twinkle in her eye as she shared her exciting news.
flash

When a bright light appears suddenly and briefly, often used in the context of cameras, warnings, or lightning.

  • The camera flashed as the photo was taken.
  • A flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky.

Examples of usage

  • She blinked in surprise.
  • The light blinked on and off.
Context #2 | Noun

eye movement

The act of closing and opening one or both eyes quickly.

Examples of usage

  • A blink of an eye.
  • She gave him a quick blink.

Interesting Facts

Biology

  • Blinking happens about 15 to 20 times per minute on average, which helps keep our eyes moist and clear.
  • When you're tired or staring at a screen, you may blink less, which can lead to dry eyes.
  • Some animals, like fish, don't blink because they keep their eyes in water all the time!

Psychology

  • Blinking can be a subconscious response to various emotions, like surprise or boredom.
  • Research shows that people often blink more when engaged in conversation, helping to convey feelings.
  • The speed of your blinks can indicate your stress level โ€“ faster blinks can suggest anxiety.

Literature

  • In literature, the act of blinking can symbolize moments of realization or awakening in characters.
  • Famous writers often use blinking to describe a character's reaction to shocking news, emphasizing their surprise.
  • Poets sometimes use the blink of an eye as a metaphor for fleeting moments in time, showing how quickly life can change.

Technology

  • Modern technology has introduced devices that can detect when you're blinking, enhancing user interaction in virtual reality.
  • Some eye-tracking software uses blinking as a command, enabling hands-free control of devices.
  • Artificial intelligence is now being developed to interpret patterns in blinking and use it for diagnosing health issues.

Cultural Expressions

  • In some cultures, a wink can be a playful gesture, signifying a shared secret or mutual understanding.
  • The phrase 'donโ€™t blink' is often used to convey urgency, suggesting that you might miss something important if you look away.
  • In film and photography, a 'blink-and-you-miss-it' moment describes scenes that are so fast you might overlook them.

Translations

Translations of the word "blink" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น piscar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเคฒเค• เคเคชเค•เคพเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช blinken

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berkedip

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะพั€ะณะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ mrugaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็žฌใใ™ใ‚‹ (mabataki suru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท cligner

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ parpadear

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรถz kฤฑrpmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊นœ๋นก์ด๋‹ค (kkamppakida)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุฑู…ุด

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mrkat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลพmurkaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็œจ็œผ (zhวŽyวŽn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ meลพikati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ blikka

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถั‹ะฟั‹ะปั‹า›ั‚ะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒญแƒ˜แƒ›แƒ•แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gรถz qฤฑrpmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ parpadear

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,397, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.