blink
noun (countable)
UK/blɪŋk/US/blɪŋk/
A quick closing and opening of the eyes.
Example Sentences
She gave a quick blink to avoid the bright light.
His constant blinks indicated that he was tired.
The sudden blink of the lights startled everyone in the room.
During the presentation, she tried to maintain eye contact with minimal blinks.
A blink of an eye was all it took for the magician to perform his trick.
The car's headlights had a steady blink in the darkness.
After the long flight, his eyes were dry from too many blinks without sleep.
The biologist studied the rapid blink rate of the butterfly's eyes under the microscope.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/blɪŋk/US/blɪŋk/
To quickly close and open the eyes, typically as a reaction or reflex; also, to shine with intermittent flashes.
Example Sentences
She couldn't help but blink rapidly in the bright sunlight.
He tends to blink excessively when he's nervous.
The lighthouse blinks its light every few seconds to guide ships at night.
During the storm, the lightning would blink across the sky, illuminating everything briefly.
Try not to blink while you're watching the magic show to see how the trick is done.
The screen was so bright that it made his eyes blink uncontrollably.
As the sun set, the stars began to blink into view one by one.
He blinked twice to confirm that he hadn't imagined the sudden movement.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A quick eye action or short signal of light or attention.“Blink” is most commonly used as a verb to describe the fast closing and opening motion of the eyelids. You might say, “I blink whenever dust gets in my eyes,” or “Try not to blink while we’re taking the photo.” This involuntary reflex helps keep the eyes moist and clean, but we also blink consciously to communicate surprise or uncertainty—like giving someone a skeptical blink in conversation. Beyond physical eye movement, “blink” can describe rapid lights or signals: for instance, “The warning light blinked on the dashboard,” indicating it flashes on and off. In writing or speech, it can appear in idioms: “in the blink of an eye” refers to something happening extremely quickly. If you’re explaining a concept, you might say, “It was so fast, it happened in the blink of an eye,” to emphasize brevity. Alternatively, “blink and you’ll miss it” implies that something passes swiftly. The word can also serve as a subtle directive: “Don’t blink,” cautioning someone to stay alert and not lose focus. When using “blink” in more formal contexts, you can describe an optical sensor “blinking” to show it’s active. In casual or descriptive writing, “blinked in disbelief” or “he blinked away tears” helps readers visualize emotional responses. It’s a versatile term—equally at home in everyday conversation, creative writing, or technical reports about flashing indicators. If you’re discussing forced or deliberate blinking (such as in tests for dryness or reaction time), clarify the purpose—like, “He blinked repeatedly to clear his blurry vision.” By providing the proper context, “blink” helps convey an instant’s worth of movement, attention, or change, whether you’re describing a person’s expression or an electronic light flickering on and off. This flexibility allows the word to fit a wide array of scenarios, from mundane daily actions to dramatic narrative points, always illustrating a swift, transitory moment in time.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for different ways to express the core idea of “blink,” your best choice depends on the context—physical eye movement, quick changes, or fleeting moments. For the act of closing and opening the eyes, “flutter,” “flicker,” or “wink” can stand in, though “wink” often implies a deliberate gesture or subtle signal. “Flicker” suits lights or quick movements in your peripheral vision, whereas “flash” conveys a sudden appearance or burst of illumination. You might also say “briefly shut your eyes” in a more descriptive context, or “momentarily close your eyelids” if you want a clinical or literal explanation. In situations involving speed, “in a heartbeat” or “in an instant” can replace “in the blink of an eye” if you wish to vary your language. If your focus is on electronic indicators switching on and off, you could use “pulse,” “flash,” or “flicker” to highlight the intermittent nature of lights. Each synonym carries its own nuance—“wink” may feel flirtatious or secretive, “flash” is typically bright and noticeable, and “flicker” suggests something less steady. By selecting a term that resonates with your setting—personal, mechanical, or metaphorical—you can adjust the shade of meaning to best convey your intended mood or emphasis, ensuring the slightest tweak in word choice can shift the overall tone from playful to technical or from emotional to matter-of-fact.
Writing
When incorporating “blink” into your writing, consider how its brevity or repeated action can add depth. If you’re portraying surprise or disbelief, show a character blinking rapidly, perhaps with their mouth slightly open, to underscore a sudden pause in dialogue. Similarly, describing someone who refuses to blink can heighten tension or intensity, suggesting unwavering resolve—like a character staring down their opponent without flinching. In children’s literature, a sequence where a creature or object blinks might become a whimsical detail or a playful cue for young readers to engage. If you’re aiming for a more poetic style, you might describe city lights “blinking like tiny signals on a distant horizon,” evoking a dreamlike atmosphere. For technical or instructional texts, clarify that a device “blinks rapidly to indicate pairing mode,” making sure the audience understands this visual cue. Ensure your descriptions are concise yet informative—painting a scene while guiding the reader’s focus, especially if the blinking action is crucial to plot or procedure. In informational or journalistic pieces, you might reference a “blink rate,” relevant in studies of eye strain or psychological cues. Regardless of the context—fiction, non-fiction, academic, or casual—anchor “blink” in vivid details if it’s pivotal, or employ it sparingly as a quick observational note to suggest a short pause or reaction. Choosing the right synonyms, metaphors, and frequency of usage will keep your narrative fresh, capturing an action that lasts only a fraction of a second yet can reveal much about the moment.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, “blink” often appears when people discuss sudden changes or things that happen very quickly. For instance, you could say, “Wow, summer flew by in the blink of an eye!” to emphasize how short it seemed. If someone misses crucial information, you might jokingly tell them, “Don’t blink, or you’ll miss the best part.” When friends spot a weird coincidence, they might say, “I had to blink twice to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.” On a more playful note, you can challenge someone with, “Staring contest! First to blink loses,” an informal game of holding eye contact. In casual conversations, it’s also common to point out how blinking can betray emotions. If a friend is wide-eyed with excitement, you might tease them with, “Don’t forget to blink!” to suggest they’re so captivated they’ve stopped. If they’re surprised or taken aback, describing them as “blinking in shock” conveys a lighthearted tone, painting them as momentarily stunned. When you’re scaring someone or hinting at suspense, say, “Blink once if you’re scared,” turning the action into a fun or dramatic cue. Overall, “blink” is a staple in easygoing chats: it’s an everyday verb that quickly and colorfully captures short-lived moments, from genuine surprise to comedic exaggeration about how fast time flies.
Etymology
The word “blink” traces back to the Middle English “blenken,” which itself arose from Germanic roots meaning “to gleam” or “to glitter.” Early uses of “blink” connected to flashes of light or shining objects, but over time, the term adapted to describe the rapid opening and closing of the eyelids. Language evolution saw the notion of a quick gleam align naturally with the speed of an eyelid’s motion, giving rise to its modern-day associations. During the Middle Ages, references to blinking generally focused on quick visual shifts—like fleeting glances or twinkling lights in the distance. With the expansion of the English lexicon and the influence of other European languages, “blink” became a versatile verb describing not only human actions but also mechanical or environmental flashes, such as lighthouse beams or signal lights. Into the 20th century, technological advancements created numerous instances of blinking in electronics and automated devices. Meanwhile, the metaphorical phrase “in the blink of an eye” took hold in everyday speech, underscoring just how instantaneous the action can be. Thus, “blink” preserves its original sense of a brief spark, now blending the idea of a flicker of light with the fundamental human reflex that remains essential for vision and expression.