winkle

Definition

A 'winkle' is a small sea snail eaten as seafood. Informally, 'to winkle (out)' means to remove or extract something with effort, especially from a tight space.

Usage & Nuances

As a noun, mostly British and used in seafood contexts. As a verb, informal and often used with 'out': 'winkle out.' The verb is rare in American English. The noun is almost always plural when referring to food: 'eat winkles.'

Example Sentences