dimple

American  

[dim-puhl] / ˈdɪm pəl /

noun

1. a small, natural hollow area or crease, permanent or transient, in some soft part of the human body, especially one formed in the cheek in smiling.

2. any similar slight depression.

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verb (used with object)

dimpled, dimpling

1. to mark with or as if with dimples; produce dimples in.

   A smile dimpled her face.

2. Metalworking.

   1. to dent (a metal sheet) so as to permit use of bolts or rivets with countersunk heads.

   2. to mark (a metal object) with a drill point as a guide for further drilling.

verb (used without object)

dimpled, dimpling

1. to form or show dimples.

dimple British  

/ ˈdɪmpəl /

noun

1. a small natural dent or crease in the flesh, esp on the cheeks or chin

2. any slight depression in a surface

3. a bubble or dent in glass

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verb

1. to make or become dimpled

2. (intr) to produce dimples by smiling

Other Word Forms

• dimply adjective
• undimpled adjective

Etymology

Origin of dimple

1350–1400; Middle English dimpel, Old English *dympel; cognate with German Tümpel pool

Example Sentences

Trucking along, she smiles, showing those amazing dimples.

From Literature

He grins, showcasing his solo left dimple that I didn’t notice before, and slips into the pool beside me.

From Literature

From the vantage point of our helicopter above the Alps, you can make out scars and dimples from recent avalanches.

From BBC

Sometimes Jonah’s mom would say things like, “You have such great dimples and such beautiful eyes—do you suppose those came from your birth mother or your birth father?”

From Literature

She fiddled with her white headscarf, dimples creasing and front teeth protruding as she giggled and launched seamlessly back into song, arms upheld, motioning us to join in.

From Literature

Related Words

• divot