twinkle

Everyday

1. To twinkle is to shine with a light that flickers, getting brighter and dimmer quickly, as stars do. tree →
2. If someone's eyes twinkle, they look bright and happy, often because the person is amused. tree →
3. A twinkle is a small flickering light, or a happy, cheeky look in the eyes. tree →
4. «In the twinkling of an eye» means very quickly. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons stars twinkle because their light is bent by moving air in the atmosphere; planets twinkle much less, which helps you tell them apart. In music, children learn «Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star». In stories «a twinkle in his eye» shows kindness, fun or a secret joke. Phrases: «a twinkle in your eye», «twinkle like stars», «in the twinkling of an eye».

Examples

• The stars twinkle in the night sky. tree →
• The fairy lights twinkled on the tree. tree →
• Grandpa's eyes twinkled when he told the joke. tree →
• Planets don't twinkle as much as stars. tree →
• We sang «Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star». tree →
• The lights of the town twinkled below the hill. tree →
• In the twinkling of an eye, the cake was gone. tree →
• The king smiled, and his eyes twinkled. tree →

Note

Past: twinkled. Adjective/noun: twinkling. Trap: stars do not really switch on and off; the twinkling happens in Earth's air.