What does winkling mean?
Winkling is the present-participle form of the verb wink, used when describing the deliberate closing and quick reopening of one eye. It often functions as a gerund in phrases such as “winkling at someone” and can suggest a wink used for secrecy, playfulness, flirtation, or a private signal, although these connotations depend on context. The action is narrower than ordinary blinking, which can occur involuntarily, and a wink is normally made with one eye rather than both. In modern prose, winking is much more usual; winkling is chiefly encountered in descriptive or literary writing or where the action is deliberately foregrounded. As an inflected verb form, winkling has no independent plural. Its value lies in vividly naming a small, expressive gesture that can carry considerable meaning without words.
verbThe present participle of wink, referring to the deliberate closing and quick reopening of one eye, especially as a signal.
- Closing and quickly reopening one eye, especially as a deliberate signal.
"She was winkling at him across the crowded room."
"He stopped winkling and turned to face the interviewer."
"The old woman sat by the window, winkling at the children in the garden."
Across several Germanic languages, the same root can mean waving—a tiny gesture can travel surprisingly far.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of winkling
Winkling is formed from wink by adding the present-participle ending -ing. Wink descends through Middle English wynken from Old English wincian, meaning to close the eyes or blink. It belongs to an old Germanic word family that includes modern German winken, Dutch winken, Danish vinke, and Swedish vinka; several of these now emphasize waving or making a signal rather than blinking.
Related word forms
How winkling is actually used
Winkling is a present-participle and gerund form of wink and is less common in ordinary prose than winking. It is mainly used descriptively or in literary contexts.