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Definition of winkle

winkle

/ˈwɪŋ.kəl/
win · kle
Plural:winkles
•
Past Simple:winkled
•
Past Participle:winkled
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Present Participle:winkling
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winkle Lexical Profile

winkle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, edible marine snail of the family Littorinidae, particularly the common periwinkle (Littorina littorea), having a thick, spiral, conical shell and inhabiting rocky North Atlantic shorelines.

Example

"At low tide, the children searched the rocky tide pools for winkles clinging to the seaweed."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

British To extract, pry, or draw someone or something out from a secure place or reluctant source with persistent effort (usually followed by 'out').

Example

"The investigative journalist managed to winkle the truth out of the reluctant witness."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for winkle

• Nearby Words

wingtip
wink
winker
winkle
winless
winnability
winnable

Word Origin & Etymology

Shortened from 'periwinkle' or directly from Old English 'wincel' (a spiral shell), ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic root '*wink-' meaning to bend or wind, in reference to the twisted shape of its shell.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Winkle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/winkle
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