dimple: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “dimple” mean?
A small, natural, permanent hollow or indentation in the flesh, typically on the cheek or chin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, natural, permanent hollow or indentation in the flesh, typically on the cheek or chin.
Any small, shallow, rounded depression or indentation, including in materials (e.g., metal, water) or on surfaces (e.g., a golf ball). As a verb: to produce such depressions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical positive connotations of charm and attractiveness when referring to facial features.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “dimple” in a Sentence
N (on/in N)V (intransitive): Her cheeks dimple when she smiles.V (transitive): The rain dimpled the surface of the pond.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dimple” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Her face dimpled into a grin.
- The hailstones dimpled the bonnet of the car.
American English
- His cheeks dimple whenever he laughs.
- The soft ground was dimpled by the rain.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form. *'He smiled dimply' is non-standard/poetic.
American English
- No standard adverb form. *'She laughed dimply' is non-standard/poetic.
adjective
British English
- She has a lovely dimpled smile. (past participle as adjective)
- The dimpled surface of the golf ball.
American English
- He's known for his dimpled chin. (past participle as adjective)
- The baby's dimpled knees.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Could appear in niche marketing/beauty contexts (e.g., 'the dimple effect in product design').
Academic
Rare. May appear in medical/anatomical texts or materials science (describing surface morphology).
Everyday
Common, especially in descriptions of appearance.
Technical
In engineering/golf: describing the aerodynamic pattern on a golf ball or small surface indentations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dimple”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dimple”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dimple”
- Incorrect plural: 'dimples' is correct. *'dimpleses' is wrong.
- Confusing verb usage: 'The lake was dimpling' (correct, intransitive) vs. 'He dimpled the clay' (transitive, less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, dimples are often considered an inherited dominant genetic trait.
Yes. It can be intransitive ('Her cheek dimpled') or transitive ('The stone dimpled the water').
No. While most common for facial features, it can describe any small depression, like on a golf ball or in water.
A dimple is usually small, shallow, natural, or designed, and often positive. A dent is typically larger, caused by damage, and negative.
A small, natural, permanent hollow or indentation in the flesh, typically on the cheek or chin.
Dimple is usually neutral in register.
Dimple: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪmp(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪmp(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dimples of Venus (anatomy: lower back indentations)”
- “No common idioms exist for 'dimple' alone.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A simple little dimple in your skin makes you smile.' The 'imp' in dimple is like a little mischievous dent.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTRACTIVENESS IS A DIMPLE (positive feature), A DEPRESSION IS A DIMPLE (for surfaces).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dimple' LEAST likely to be used?