IPA: /ˈtwɪŋkəl/
KK: /ˈtwɪŋkəl/
To shine with small, quick flashes of light, like stars or distant lights; to sparkle or flicker.
The stars twinkle brightly in the night sky.
Past: twinkled
Past Participle: twinkled
A brief flash or gleam of light, often seen as a sparkle or glimmer.
The stars began to twinkle in the night sky.
To shine with a flickering or intermittent light.
The stars twinkle brightly in the night sky.
Past: twinkled
Past Participle: twinkled
Twinkle originates from Middle English 'twinklen', which is a frequentative form of 'twink', meaning to shine or flicker. The word describes the action of shining with a flickering or wavering light.
Imagine a light that 'flickers' or 'shines' softly — that's what twinkle means, like stars in the night sky.