wink

To quickly close and open one eye to send someone a friendly or secret message.

• She winked at me.
• He winked to show he was joking.
• My sister smiled and winked across the table.

How to use it: wink at someone (He winked at his friend when nobody was looking.)

Common phrases: wink at someone, wink knowingly

To close one eye and quickly open it again.

• Can you wink your left eye?
• She winked once and opened both eyes again.
• The child practised winking in front of a mirror.

Common phrases: wink one eye, wink your eye

To shine with a light that quickly grows brighter and weaker.

• Stars winked above the hills.
• Tiny lights wink across the dark bay.
• A distant candle winked in the window.

Similar words: twinkle, flicker

Common phrases: stars wink, lights wink

A quick closing and opening of one eye, often to send a friendly or secret message.

• He gave me a wink.
• Her wink told us she was joking.
• They exchanged knowing winks during the speech.

How to use it: give someone a wink (She gave her brother a wink.)

Similar words: 😉, ;), ;-)

Common phrases: give a wink, knowing wink, cheeky wink

A small, often playful reference to something that some people will recognize.

• The scene is a wink to fans.
• The title offers a playful wink to an earlier film.
• These little winks reward readers who know her previous books.

How to use it: a wink to something (The opening scene includes a wink to classic horror films.)

Similar words: allusion, reference, nod

Common phrases: wink to something, playful wink, knowing wink