noun
dimple
DIHM-puhl
noun
1
A small natural indentation in the skin, especially near the corners of the mouth or on the cheek.
"He has a dimple on his left cheek when he smiles."
"Their baby has the same dimple as her father."
2
A small dent or indentation in any surface.
"Golf balls are covered in tiny dimples to improve their flight."
verb
1
To form a small indentation, or to show a dimple by smiling.
"Her cheeks dimpled as she grinned."
How to Use Dimple
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small dent — most often the charming crease that appears on a cheek when someone smiles.
Common pairings
cheek dimple
dimple when smiling
Word Forms
dimpled past tense, dimples plural, dimples singular
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He has a _____ on his left cheek when he smiles.
Etymology
From Old English "*dympel", "a pit or hollow", related to Proto-Germanic roots meaning "deep" or "hollow".