NYT Dictionary

BLINK

/ˈblɪŋk/
VerbNounBLINKblink · 1 syllableGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2021, 2024

Meaning

To close and reopen both eyes quickly.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English blynken, blenken, from Old English *blincan (suggested by causative verb blenċan (“to deceive”); > English blench), from Proto-Germanic *blinkaną, a variant of *blīkaną (“to gleam, shine”). Cognate with Dutch blinken (“to glitter, shine”), German blinken (“to flash, blink”), Danish blinke (“to flash, twinkle, wink, blink”), Swedish blinka (“to flash, blink, twinkle, wink, blink”). Related to blank, blick, blike, bleak.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

nictitateblinkingwinkwinkingnictitationnictationnictateflashtwinklewinkle

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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