Blink vs. Flicker — What's the Difference?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.