twinkle
sparkle / flicker / glint / brief moment
Intransitive VerbTransitive VerbNoun
pl: twinklespast: twinkledpp: twinkleding: twinkling
This word evokes a sense of rapid, intermittent light, often associated with celestial bodies or reflective surfaces. It carries a lighthearted or magical connotation, suggesting a quality of brightness that is not steady but pulsing or flickering. When applied to human expression, it specifically describes a visual cue of hidden emotion, typically amusement or playfulness. In temporal contexts, it denotes an almost instantaneous duration, emphasizing the brevity of a flash of light.
Meanings
Intransitive Verb
To shine with a light that changes rapidly from bright to faint.
"The stars twinkle in the clear night sky."
Transitive Verb
[~ something]
To shine with a flickering or sparkling light.
"The sunlight twinkled on the surface of the lake."