1 C1 formal
Of a light or star: to flicker and gradually disappear.
"One by one, the stars twinkled out as dawn approached."
inseparable
twinkle out
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
To disappear or go out gradually, like the fading of a star or a small light.
In plain English
A tiny light slowly goes out or disappears.
What does "twinkle out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
Metaphorically: for something delicate — hope, life, a dream — to disappear quietly.
"The last hope of rescue twinkled out as night fell over the mountain."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
A twinkling (flickering) light going out completely.
Actually means
A tiny light slowly goes out or disappears.
Usage tip
Primarily a literary or poetic expression. Rarely used in everyday speech. Evokes the gentle extinction of something small and delicate, like a star, candle, or hope. Occasionally used metaphorically for a life ending quietly.
Words that pair with "twinkle out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
star light candle hope life glimmer
How to conjugate "twinkle out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
twinkle out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
twinkles out
he/she/it
Past simple
twinkled out
yesterday
Past participle
twinkled out
have + pp
-ing form
twinkling out
continuous
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