dimple

1 of 2

noun

dim·​ple ˈdim-pəl How to pronounce dimple (audio)
1
anatomy : a slight natural indentation in the surface of some part of the human body
noticed his dimples when he smiled
2
: a depression or indentation on a surface (as of a golf ball)
dimply adjective

dimple

2 of 2

verb

dimpled; dimpling ˈdim-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dimple (audio)

transitive verb

: to mark with dimples
a baby's dimpled hands

intransitive verb

: to exhibit or form dimples

Examples of dimple in a Sentence

Noun She noticed his dimples when he smiled. the dimples on a golf ball
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Beyond her dimples, ringlets, and fits of giggles is a conflicted teenager. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2024 Her arm fat shook, and dimples were pushing through the fabric of her shorts. Addie Citchens, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 Debra has a wide smile, dimples, and thin, arched eyebrows. Longreads, 4 Jan. 2024 Programmable from the steering wheel Each side of the steering wheel has a four-way rocker switch with four dimples to activate different functions. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 22 Jan. 2024 This controls the degree of flow separation, similar to the dimples on a golf ball. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 July 2023 And a lot of Ant-Man's charm when the character first debuted in his own standalone movie in 2015 was in fact the human scale of the story: a blithe, goofy comedy that just happened to have superhero stuff in it (and of course, the deathless dimples of Paul Rudd). Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2023 Key Facts Bottlenose dolphins are born with whiskers along their snouts similar to seals’ that fall out shortly after birth, leaving them with dimples called vibrissal pits, according to a study published Thursday from the University of Rostock in Germany. Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 An individualized key slips over the dome, gets traction on the dimples, and unscrews or tightens it. Matt Jancer, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
Verb
Nearby a flat boulder cloaked in the shade of the yawning oak trees was dimpled with grinding holes created by nameless Native Americans, decades, or even centuries, ago. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2024 From some untrodden, internal place, a visceral memory stirred, of holding up the page with Felicity pictured vertically in the centerfold, the midsection of her floral everyday dress dimpled by the magazine’s staples. Lizzie Feidelson, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2023 Abdullah had lively eyes, dimpled cheeks and a goofy sense of humor. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 The primary indicators of breast cancer to be aware of include masses in the breast, skin changes or rashes, dimpling, and bloody nipple discharge. Christina Ruffini, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2023 Mesh panels, vents and dimpled foam keep air flowing through the vest. Ben Romans, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023 Erosions are a loss of skin layers, causing skin depression or dimpling along the skin. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 6 July 2023 This common skin condition that's readily recognized by texture that is lumpy, dimpled, or rippled in appearance. Maddie Aberman, Women's Health, 27 June 2023 Luminous deep-blue eyes under those famous dark brows, delicate features, dimpled smile and a glossy brunette mane. Rhonda Garelick, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dimple.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English dympull; akin to Old High German tumphilo whirlpool, Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of dimple was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dimple

Cite this Entry

“Dimple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dimple. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dimple

1 of 2 noun
dim·​ple ˈdim-pəl How to pronounce dimple (audio)
1
: a slight natural indentation in the surface of some part of the human body (as the chin)
2
: a slight hollow
the dimples on a golf ball

dimple

2 of 2 verb
dimpled; dimpling -p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dimple (audio)
: to mark with or form dimples

Medical Definition

dimple

1 of 2 noun
dim·​ple ˈdim-pəl How to pronounce dimple (audio)
: a slight natural indentation or hollow in the surface of some part of the human body (as on a cheek or the chin)

dimple

2 of 2 verb
dimpled; dimpling -p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dimple (audio)

transitive verb

: to mark with dimples

intransitive verb

: to exhibit or form dimples
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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