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

Explanation

A dimple is a small indentation in a surface. A dimple on your cheek is cute, but a dimple on your car door is not so cute. A dimple can be an imperfection or tiny dent, but it's often a little cleft in a person's cheek or chin. People whose dimples show when they smile are particularly charming, and a dimpled chin is often considered quite handsome. One theory of the word's origin is that it meant "pothole" in Old English, from a Proto-Germanic root.

Example Sentences

He lay back on the bed and smiled, and a dimple appeared on his cheek.

From New York Times • Jan. 28, 2024

"That is a pimple on a dimple on an ant's left cheek compared to what we need in the world," Banga said.

From Reuters • Sep. 26, 2023

Chances are, the photos will show the waves in his dark hair and the dimple that emerges when he smiles.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2022

Adding to that stress, one of JWST’s 18 mirror segments was struck by a larger than expected micrometeoroid in May, leaving a small dimple.

From The Verge • Jul. 7, 2022

Hatsue, her bucket beside her, her shovel in one hand, pointed out the darkness of the exposed clam’s lip, its size, its hue and tone, the circumference of its watery dimple.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• divot