Origin of wink

1
before 900; (v.) Middle English winken, Old English wincian; cognate with German winken to wave, signal; (noun) Middle English: nap, derivative of the v.

SYNONYMS FOR wink

1 Wink, blink refer to rapid motions of the eyelid. To wink is to close and open either one or both eyelids with a rapid motion. To blink suggests a sleepy, dazed, or dazzled condition in which it is difficult to focus the eyes or see clearly: Bright sun makes one blink.
4 sparkle.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR wink ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM wink

wink·ing·ly, adverb un·wink·ing, adjective

Words nearby wink

wingspread, wingsuit, wingy, winifred, winiwarter-buerger disease, wink, wink at, wink reflex, winkelried, winker, winkle

Words related to wink at

acquit, vindicate, pardon, relieve, forgive, exempt, exonerate, ignore, disregard, tolerate, absolve, excuse, discharge, authorize, enable, license, grant, boost, empower, endorse

British Dictionary definitions for wink at (1 of 3)

wink at

verb

(intr, preposition) to connive at; disregard the authorities winked at corruption

British Dictionary definitions for wink at (2 of 3)

wink 1
/ (wɪŋk) /

verb

noun

Word Origin for wink

Old English wincian; related to Old Saxon wincon, Old High German winchan, German winken to wave. See wench, winch

British Dictionary definitions for wink at (3 of 3)

wink 2
/ (wɪŋk) /

noun

a disc used in the game of tiddlywinks

Word Origin for wink

C20: shortened from tiddlywinks

Medical definitions for wink at

wink
[ wĭngk ]

v.

To close and open the eyelid of one eye deliberately, as to convey a message, signal, or suggestion.
To close and open the eyelids of both eyes; blink.

n.

A quick closing and opening of the eyelids; a blink.

Idioms and Phrases with wink at (1 of 2)

wink at

Deliberately overlook, pretend not to see, as in Sometimes it's wise to wink at a friend's shortcomings. This idiom, first recorded in 1537, uses wink in the sense of “close one's eyes.”

Idioms and Phrases with wink at (2 of 2)

wink