What does dimple mean?
A dimple is a small, natural hollow or indentation in a surface, most famously found in the cheek or chin of a person whose face creases attractively when they smile. Cheek dimples result from a minor variation in the underlying facial muscle structure and are often regarded as an endearing or attractive feature. Beyond human anatomy, the word applies to any shallow depression — the dimples on a golf ball that influence its flight, a dimple in sheet metal, or tiny dimples pressed into dough. It also functions as a verb, meaning to mark or become marked with such hollows, as when rain dimples the surface of a pond. The word carries affectionate, gentle connotations in everyday use and appears frequently in descriptive writing about faces and landscapes alike.
A small natural hollow or indentation, especially one in the cheek or chin that shows when a person smiles; more generally, any small depression in a surface.
"He had a single dimple that appeared only when he laughed."
When used of faces, the word almost always has a positive or endearing connotation.
To form, press, or mark with small hollows or indentations; to become marked with such hollows.
"Raindrops dimpled the still surface of the lake."
Standard regular plural; commonly used when describing a person having dimples on both cheeks.
"Both twins had matching dimples when they smiled."
Cheek dimples are caused by a small variation in facial muscle anatomy, and while often called a genetic 'flaw,' they're widely considered one of the most charming features a face can have.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dimple
The word 'dimple' traces back to Old English, appearing in forms such as 'dympel' or 'dimpel' in early medieval texts. It belongs to a small Germanic word group; its closest surviving relative is the modern German 'Tümpel,' meaning a small pool or puddle, which reflects the same idea of a small hollow or depression. The word has been used continuously in English since at least the early Middle Ages, first referring generally to small hollows before narrowing toward its familiar association with the face.
Related word forms
How dimple is actually used
As a noun, 'dimple' carries warm, affectionate connotations when applied to faces, and neutral, descriptive ones for physical surfaces. The verb form is somewhat literary and less common in everyday speech than the noun. The plural of the noun is 'dimples.'
Easily confused with dimple
Dapple means to mark with spots or rounded patches of color (as in 'dappled light'), whereas a dimple is a small hollow or indentation in a surface.