What does wink mean?
A wink is the deliberate closing and opening of one eye, usually as a discreet signal to another person. As a verb, it can describe this gesture, as in “She winked at him across the room,” or, in the phrase wink at, suggest that someone is knowingly overlooking wrongdoing or tacitly encouraging it. As a noun, a wink is the gesture itself, a signal of shared understanding, or—in phrases such as in the wink of an eye—a very brief span of time. The word is neutral in ordinary description but can carry playful, flirtatious, or conspiratorial overtones depending on context. Unlike an involuntary blink, a wink normally requires intention and therefore often functions as communication. It appears in familiar expressions including give a wink, exchange winks, and in the wink of an eye, giving the word both a practical meaning and a strong association with secrecy, amusement, and speed.
To close and open one eye deliberately as a signal, or to indicate tacit agreement or tolerance.
"He winked at his partner and quietly left the room."
The expression 'wink at' can imply complicity or deliberate tolerance.
The act of closing and opening one eye as a signal, or a very brief moment.
"The bell rang, and she was ready in a wink."
The sense meaning 'a very brief moment' is idiomatic and informal.
The regular plural is used for multiple gestures or signals of this kind.
"They exchanged winks throughout the performance."
A wink is a message; a blink is mostly a reflex.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wink come from?
The word comes through Middle English winken from Old English winkan, whose older sense was “sleep, nod, or doze.” Its modern sense of signaling by closing one eye developed as the meaning shifted toward quick eye movements and deliberate gestures. It is related to forms such as Old Norse vinkja and German winken, as well as to English wince, all associated with a Proto-Germanic root meaning roughly “to move one's head” or “make a sign.”
Related word forms
How wink is actually used
The eye gesture is familiar and usually intentional, with tones ranging from playful to flirtatious or conspiratorial. The noun meaning 'a very brief moment' is idiomatic and usually informal.
Easily confused with wink
A wink is normally a deliberate gesture made with one eye, whereas a blink is usually an automatic closing and opening of both eyes.
A wink communicates a signal, while a wince is an involuntary grimace expressing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment.