Ask Difference

Blink vs. Flicker — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 4, 2023
Blink" generally refers to a rapid closing and opening of the eye. "Flicker" denotes a rapid, periodic, and usually irregular fluctuation in brightness. The main difference is blinking is a physiological action, whereas flickering relates to light varianc

Difference Between Blink and Flicker

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Key Differences

In conclusion, while both "Blink" and "Flicker" imply a rapid change in visual perception, they are applied in different contexts; "blink" primarily deals with physiological actions or intentional signaling, while "flicker" often represents an irregular fluctuation or defect in light sources.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
The term "Blink" predominantly refers to the rapid closure and reopening of the eyelid, a semi-autonomic action occurring routinely to keep the eye lubricated and protected from foreign bodies. This action is inherent to living beings and is a physiological response. In contrast, "Flicker" mainly refers to a quick and irregular fluctuation in the brightness of light, sometimes caused by interruptions in the power supply or imperfections in the light-emitting source, denoting an irregular and often intermittent glow or light.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Blinking, in a broader sense, can also denote the very brief interruption of visual perception, making one momentarily blind to the surrounding environment. This natural action is often involuntary, with a frequency varying from person to person. On the other hand, Flickering is a perceptual event related to visual stimuli, predominantly observed in artificial light sources like lamps and screens, often resulting from fluctuations in voltage or frequency of the light source and can be visually disturbing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
In computing terminology, a "Blink" can represent the rapid alternation between two visual states, like a cursor blinking on a text editor, drawing attention to a specific point or element on the screen. "Flicker," in a similar context, could denote the rapid variation in the display's brightness or color, often considered a defect or an unwanted anomaly, causing visual discomfort and sometimes impacting the visibility of screen content.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Another context where the terms "Blink" and "Flicker" are used is in describing light signals. A light may blink to convey a signal, message, or warning, often in a regular, predictable manner, such as a turn signal on a vehicle. Conversely, a light that flickers often does so irregularly and is usually indicative of a problem with the light source or its power supply.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Rapid closing and opening of the eye.
Rapid, irregular fluctuation in brightness of light.
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Oct 04, 2023

Context

Physiological and signaling.
Mostly related to light sources and displays.
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Oct 04, 2023

Regularity

Regular and often intentional.
Usually irregular and unintentional.
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Cause

Natural or by design.
Often due to defects or disruptions.
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Perception

Momentary interruption of visual perception
Can be visually disturbing and continuous.
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Oct 04, 2023
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Definitions

Blink

A blink is the act of quickly closing and opening one's eyes.
He didn’t blink an eye when he heard the sudden loud noise.
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Sep 25, 2023

Flicker

A flicker is a quick and irregular fluctuation of light intensity.
The flicker of the candle cast strange shadows on the wall.
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Sep 25, 2023

Blink

Blinking also refers to light flashing on and off in a regular or irregular pattern.
The car’s blinker indicated a right turn.
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Sep 25, 2023

Flicker

It denotes a brief appearance or feeling.
A flicker of hope arose in his heart.
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Sep 25, 2023

Blink

It can be used metaphorically to represent a very short time.
The project was done in the blink of an eye.
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Sep 25, 2023

Flicker

In visuals, a flicker is perceived as a fast and repeated change in brightness.
The screen’s flicker was giving her a headache.
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Sep 25, 2023

Blink

To close and open one or both of the eyes rapidly.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

Flickering is often irregular and perceived as a defect in light sources.
The constant flicker of the old lamp was distracting.
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Sep 25, 2023

Blink

To look in astonishment or disbelief, typically with the eyes blinking
Stood blinking at the money they found in the drawer.
Blinked at the results of the experiment.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

Metaphorically, it can symbolize instability or transience.
A flicker of emotion crossed her otherwise impassive face.
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Sep 25, 2023

Blink

To look through half-closed eyes, as in a bright glare; squint
Blinked at the page trying to make out the letters.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

To move waveringly; flutter
Shadows flickering on the wall.
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Blink

To give off light with intermittent gleams; flash on and off
"blazing neon signs, brilliant shop windows, decorations blinking across the fronts of half-finished tower blocks" (Jess Row).
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

To burn or shine unsteadily or fitfully
The candle flickered before sputtering out.
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Blink

To pretend to be ignorant of; disregard or condone
A mayor who refused to blink at corruption.
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Flicker

To be displayed with fluctuating brightness
A movie flickered on the screen.
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Blink

To waver or back down, as in a contest of wills
"This was the first genuine, direct confrontation between this administration and the Soviets. It was the U.S.A. that blinked" (Zbigniew Brzezinski).
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Flicker

To appear briefly
A smile flickered on her face.
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Blink

To cause to blink
Blinked his eyes to clear his vision.
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Flicker

To cause to move waveringly.
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Blink

To hold back or remove from the eyes by blinking
Blinked back the tears.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

A brief movement; a tremor.
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Blink

To refuse to recognize or face
Blink ugly facts.
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Flicker

An inconstant or wavering light.
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Blink

To transmit (a message) with a flashing light.
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Flicker

A brief or slight sensation
A flicker of doubt.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

The act or an instance of rapidly closing and opening the eyes or an eye.
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Flicker

Any of various large woodpeckers of the genus Colaptes of the Americas, having a long tail and large feet and often foraging on the ground, especially C. auratus, the northern flicker.
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Blink

An instant
I'll be back in a blink.
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Flicker

An unsteady flash of light.
The flicker of the dying candle
The flicker of a poorly tuned television set
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Blink

(Scots) A quick look or glimpse; a glance.
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Flicker

(figurative) A short moment.
A flicker of hope
A flicker of recognition passed through my mind.
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Blink

A flash of light; a twinkle.
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Flicker

(US) Any of certain small woodpeckers, especially of the genus Colaptes.
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Blink

See iceblink.
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Flicker

One who flicks.
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Blink

(intransitive) To close and reopen both eyes quickly.
The loser in the staring game is the person who blinks first.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

(intransitive) To burn or shine unsteadily, or with a wavering light.
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Blink

(transitive) To close and reopen one's eyes to remove (something) from on or around the eyes.
She blinked her tears away.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

(intransitive) To keep going on and off; to appear and disappear for short moments; to flutter.
A strong desire to smash up everything in the room kept flickering in his head.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To wink; to twinkle with, or as with, the eye.
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Flicker

(ambitransitive) To flutter or flap.
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Blink

To see with the eyes half shut, or indistinctly and with frequent winking, as a person with weak eyes.
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Flicker

To flutter; to flap the wings without flying.
And flickering on her nest made short essays to sing.
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Blink

To shine, especially with intermittent light; to twinkle; to flicker; to glimmer, as a lamp.
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Flicker

To waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air, or when about to expire; as, the flickering light.
The shadows flicker to fro.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To glance.
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Flicker

The act of wavering or of fluttering; fluctuation; sudden and brief increase of brightness; as, the last flicker of the dying flame.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To flash on and off at regular intervals.
The blinking text on the screen was distracting.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

The golden-winged woodpecker (Colaptes aurutus); - so called from its spring note. Called also yellow-hammer, high-holder, pigeon woodpecker, and yucca.
The cackle of the flicker among the oaks.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To flash headlights on a car at.
An urban legend claims that gang members will attack anyone who blinks them.
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Jan 29, 2023

Flicker

A momentary flash of light
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Blink

To send a signal with a lighting device.
Don't come to the door until I blink twice.
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Flicker

North American woodpecker
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Blink

(hyperbole) To perform the smallest action that could solicit a response.
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Flicker

The act of moving back and forth
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Blink

(transitive) To shut out of sight; to evade; to shirk.
To blink the question
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Flicker

Move back and forth very rapidly;
The candle flickered
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Blink

To turn slightly sour, or blinky, as beer, milk, etc.
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Flicker

Shine unsteadily;
The candle flickered
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Blink

To teleport, mostly for short distances.
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Flicker

Flash intermittently;
The lights flicked on and off
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Blink

The act of quickly closing both eyes and opening them again.
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Blink

(figuratively) The time needed to close and reopen one's eyes.
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Blink

(computing) A text formatting feature that causes text to disappear and reappear as a form of visual emphasis.
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Blink

A glimpse or glance.
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Blink

Gleam; glimmer; sparkle
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Blink

(nautical) The dazzling whiteness about the horizon caused by the reflection of light from fields of ice at sea; iceblink
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Blink

Boughs cast where deer are to pass, in order to turn or check them.
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Blink

(video games) An ability that allows teleporting, mostly for short distances
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Blink

To wink; to twinkle with, or as with, the eye.
One eye was blinking, and one leg was lame.
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Blink

To see with the eyes half shut, or indistinctly and with frequent winking, as a person with weak eyes.
Show me thy chink, to blink through with mine eyne.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To shine, esp. with intermittent light; to twinkle; to flicker; to glimmer, as a lamp.
The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink.
The sun blinked fair on pool and stream .
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To turn slightly sour, as beer, mild, etc.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

To shut out of sight; to avoid, or purposely evade; to shirk; as, to blink the question.
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Blink

To trick; to deceive.
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Blink

A glimpse or glance.
This is the first blink that ever I had of him.
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Blink

Gleam; glimmer; sparkle.
Not a blink of light was there.
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

The dazzling whiteness about the horizon caused by the reflection of light from fields of ice at sea; ice blink.
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Blink

Boughs cast where deer are to pass, to turn or check them.
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Blink

A reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
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Blink

Briefly shut the eyes;
The TV announcer never seems to blink
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Blink

Force to go away by blinking;
Blink away tears
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Blink

Gleam or glow intermittently;
The lights were flashing
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Jan 29, 2023

Blink

It is a very brief interruption of one's visual perception.
In the blink of an eye, the thief had vanished.
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Sep 25, 2023

Blink

In computing, a blink denotes the alternation between two visual states.
The cursor continued to blink on the empty document.
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Sep 25, 2023

FAQs

Is blinking voluntary?

Blinking can be both voluntary and involuntary, primarily serving to lubricate and protect the eye.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023

Can a blinking light indicate a signal?

Yes, a blinking light is often used to convey signals, warnings, or information.
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Oct 04, 2023

Is flicker always undesirable?

Flicker is usually undesirable as it can be visually disturbing and indicative of defects or instability in light sources.
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Oct 04, 2023

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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