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

"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

Bright orange trout roe shimmers from a dimple in the quenelle, which rises from a burnt-orange moat of lobster bisque dotted with buttery sauteed crayfish.

From Washington Post • Jan. 14, 2022

He smiled, his teeth unnervingly white, his dimple unnervingly handsome.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

Related Words

• divot