Blink
/blɪŋk/
verbnounA2
Definition
To blink is to close your eyes very fast and then open them again. People do this naturally to keep their eyes wet and clean. As a noun, blink means a very short time, like the time it takes to close and open your eyes. It can also mean a quick flash of light.
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⚡ See It in Action
To close and open the eyes quickly
- •She blinked when the bright light hit her eyes.
- •Babies blink less often than adults.
- •Try not to blink during the magic trick.
A very short moment of time
- •The answer came in the blink of an eye.
- •He disappeared in a blink.
- •The event was over in a blink.
A quick flash of light
- •The warning light blinked on the dashboard.
- •The Christmas lights blink in different colors.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "blink" like "close" and "open" your eyes quickly, but much faster and automatic.
- ✓Picture someone quickly shutting their eyes for a tiny moment, like a quick wink but both eyes.
- ✓It's the feeling when you are surprised and your eyes close and open fast without you thinking.
- ✓Sounds like "blink" → imagine a small light blinking on and off very fast, like a traffic light or a camera flash.
- ✓Remember cartoons where characters blink in surprise or confusion very fast.
- ✓NOT like "stare" (which means to look without moving your eyes), "blink" is a very quick eye movement.
- ✓NOT like "wink" (closing only one eye), "blink" means both eyes close and open.
- ✓NOT like "glow" (light from inside), "blink" is a quick flash of light that goes on and off.
- ✓NOT like "gaze" (looking steadily), "blink" is very short and fast.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Wink: closing one eye quickly (Use when only one eye closes, often to send a message or joke)
- •Flash: a quick light (Use when talking only about light, not eyes)
- •Twinkle: small, quick light shining (Use for small lights that shine softly and quickly)
- •Glance: quick look (Use when talking about looking quickly, but not closing eyes)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "blink" is a simple root word without prefix or suffix.
- •Etymology: From Old English "blincan," meaning to shine or to twinkle.
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe quick light flashes, later also for eye movement.
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for eye movement and for describing quick flashes of light or very short moments.
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does blinking help protect and clean our eyes in daily life?
•Can "blink" be used to describe moments in time that feel very fast? How does that change how we think about time?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.When you blink, your eyes ___ very fast to stay wet and clean.
2.The warning light on the car dashboard started to blink ___ to show a problem.
3.He disappeared in a blink ___, so no one saw where he went.
4.Unlike a wink, a blink means both eyes ___ and open quickly.
5.The magician asked us not to blink ___, or we would miss the trick.
6.The small light blinked ___ and off to catch attention.
7.When surprised, people often blink ___ without thinking.