How Do You Spell BLINK?

Pronunciation: [blˈɪŋk] (IPA)

BLINK Meaning and Definition

  1. Blink is a verb that describes the act of momentarily closing and opening one's eyes quickly. This action is typically involuntary and automatic, functioning as a natural response to various stimuli or as a reflexive mechanism to keep the eye moist and protected. The blink reflex is crucial in preventing irritants, such as dust or debris, from entering the eye and potentially causing damage or discomfort.

    Blinking is characterized by a brief interruption in vision or perception, as the eyelids swiftly cover and then reveal the eyes. This action occurs with remarkable speed, usually taking less than a second to occur. While the frequency of blinking varies among individuals, it is estimated that on average, a person blinks approximately 15–20 times per minute.

    In addition to its physiological purpose of safeguarding the eye, blinking can also convey certain non-verbal signals. For instance, a rapid or repeated blink may indicate surprise, disbelief, or nervousness. Alternatively, an intentional slow blink can be used to communicate affection, relaxation, or even boredom, depending on the context and accompanying cues such as facial expressions or body language.

    Overall, the act of blinking serves a vital role in preserving eye health and ensuring visual clarity, while simultaneously having the potential to convey subtle emotional or social signals.

  2. • A wink; a glance; a look; a moment.
    • To wink; to twinkle with the eye; to see dimly or obscurely; to evade.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for BLINK *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for BLINK

Etymology of BLINK

The word "blink" has Old English origins and can be traced back to the West Germanic word "blenkjan" or "blincan", which means "to shine or gleam". It is also related to the Old High German word "blanchan" and the Old Norse word "blekkja". Over time, the meaning of "blink" shifted, and it came to refer to the rapid opening and closing of the eyes, which we now associate with the act of blinking.

Idioms with the word BLINK

  • not blink The idiom "not blink" refers to the act of remaining calm, composed, or unwavering in a difficult or challenging situation. It means to show no signs of hesitation, fear, or doubt. It can also imply being resolute, confident, or having strong conviction in one's actions or decisions, even in the face of adversity.
  • on the blink The idiom "on the blink" means that something is not working properly or is temporarily out of order. It is usually used to describe malfunctioning or faulty machinery, appliances, or systems.
  • in the blink of an eye The idiom "in the blink of an eye" means something that happened or will happen very quickly or instantaneously, often referring to a short period of time that is almost imperceptible. It implies the idea of rapidity or speed.
  • blink of an eye The idiom "blink of an eye" refers to a very short period of time, often implying that something happens rapidly or almost instantaneously. It suggests that an event or action occurs so quickly that it is comparable to the time it takes to blink one's eye.
  • blink back tears The idiom "blink back tears" refers to the act of holding back or restraining tears from flowing down one's eyes. It implies the effort to suppress or control one's emotions, usually displayed to prevent others from noticing or to maintain composure in a difficult or emotional situation.
  • blink at (something) The idiom "blink at (something)" typically means to ignore or disregard something, especially when it is morally or ethically wrong or questionable. It refers to the act of intentionally closing one's eyes for a brief moment, as if refusing to acknowledge or take notice of a certain situation or behavior.
  • be on the blink The idiom "be on the blink" refers to something, typically a machine or device, not functioning properly or being in a state of disrepair. It implies that the item is experiencing malfunctions or intermittently failing to work as expected.
  • before sb could blink The idiom "before sb could blink" means that something happened extremely quickly or unexpectedly, leaving no time for a person to react or respond. It implies that the action or occurrence took place almost instantaneously, catching the person off guard.
  • before (one) could blink The idiom "before (one) could blink" means that something happens very quickly or unexpectedly, often indicating that there was little or no time to react or respond. It implies that the action or event took place in an instant, before one could even blink their eyes.
  • before could blink The idiom "before could blink" means that something happened very quickly and unexpectedly, often implying that someone did not have time to react or even fully comprehend what was happening. It emphasizes the speed or suddenness of an event.
  • blink at sth To "blink at something" means to ignore, overlook, or disregard something, typically a mistake, an offense, or a wrongdoing. It implies turning a blind eye or choosing not to acknowledge or take action against a particular situation.
  • blink one's tears back The idiom "blink one's tears back" means to forcefully control one's emotions and suppress the urge to cry or shed tears. It suggests an effort to hold back tears by quickly blinking or blinking repeatedly.
  • before (one) can blink The phrase "before (one) can blink" is an idiom that means something happens extremely quickly or unexpectedly. It implies that an action or an event occurs before someone even has time to react or realize it. It highlights the speed or suddenness of a particular occurrence.
  • blink at The idiom "blink at" means to disregard or overlook something, typically an unusual or objectionable action or behavior, without showing any clue of surprise or disapproval. It implies turning a blind eye to something that might be considered wrong or unacceptable.
  • blink tears back
  • blink-and-you-miss-it The idiom "blink-and-you-miss-it" refers to something that happens very quickly and can be easily missed if one is not paying close attention. It is often used to describe a brief or fleeting moment or event.

Similar spelling words for BLINK

Plural form of BLINK is BLINKS

Conjugate verb Blink

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have blinked
you would have blinked
he/she/it would have blinked
we would have blinked
they would have blinked
I would have blink
you would have blink
he/she/it would have blink
we would have blink
they would have blink

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been blinking
you would have been blinking
he/she/it would have been blinking
we would have been blinking
they would have been blinking

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would blink
you would blink
he/she/it would blink
we would blink
they would blink

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be blinking
you would be blinking
he/she/it would be blinking
we would be blinking
they would be blinking

FUTURE

I will blink
you will blink
he/she/it will blink
we will blink
they will blink

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be blinking
you will be blinking
he/she/it will be blinking
we will be blinking
they will be blinking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have blinked
you will have blinked
he/she/it will have blinked
we will have blinked
they will have blinked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been blinking
you will have been blinking
he/she/it will have been blinking
we will have been blinking
they will have been blinking

IMPERATIVE

we Let's blink
you blink
we let´s blink

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to blink

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was blinking
you were blinking
he/she/it was blinking
we were blinking
they were blinking

PAST PARTICIPLE

blinked

PAST PERFECT

I had blinked
you had blinked
he/she/it had blinked
we had blinked
they had blinked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been blinking
you had been blinking
he/she/it had been blinking
we had been blinking
they had been blinking

PRESENT

I blink
you blink
he/she/it blinks
we blink
they blink

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am blinking
you are blinking
he/she/it is blinking
we are blinking
they are blinking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

blinking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have blinked
you have blinked
he/she/it has blinked
we have blinked
they have blinked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been blinking
you have been blinking
he/she/it has been blinking
we have been blinking
they have been blinking

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it blink

SIMPLE PAST

I blinked
you blinked
he/she/it blinked
we blinked
they blinked

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