French word

clignement

Pronunciation

IPA/kliɲəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounblinking

Example

Le clignement des yeux est souvent automatique.

Blinking is often automatic.

Illustration for clignement (blinking)

More examples

Un clignement des yeux peut exprimer la surprise.

An eye blink can express surprise.

Core concept

A repeated flicker of the eyelids occurring without deliberate control.

Common phrases

  • un clignement des yeux

    an eye blink

  • un clignement rapide

    a rapid blink

Similar words

clin d'œil: A brief, intentional closing of one eye as a signal or friendly gesture.
clignotement: The brief, repeated flashing of a light.

Definition in French

Mouvement involontaire et bref des paupières, souvent répété.

Word origin

Clignement is a deverbal noun built from cligner and the suffix -ement, which commonly forms action nouns.

Usage tips

  • The common construction is clignement des yeux, while the verb is used as cligner des yeux.

Opposites

  • fixationfixationnoun
  • immobilitéimmobilitynoun

Related words

  • clignerblinkverb
  • clignotementblinkingnoun

Word lists with this word