dimple

Noun

1. A small depression or indentation in a surface.
2. Specifically, a small natural depression on the skin, especially on the face near the corners of the mouth.
3. A small depression, made with a punch on a metal object, as a guide for further drilling.

Verb

1. (transitive) To create a dimple in.
2. (intransitive) To create a dimple in one's face by smiling.
3. To form dimples; to sink into depressions or little inequalities.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈdɪmpəl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: dympull

Cognate with Old High German: tumphilo

Cognate with German: Tümpel

Cognate with Old English: dyppan

In summary

From Middle English dimpel, dimpil, dympull, from Old English *dympel, from Proto-West Germanic *dumpil, from Proto-Germanic *dumpilaz (“sink-hole, dimple”), from Proto-Germanic *dumpaz (“hole, hollow, pit”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewb- (“deep, hollow”), equivalent to dialectal dump (“deep hole or pool”) + -le (diminutive suffix).
Akin to German Low German Dümpel, German Tümpel (“pond, pool”). Related also to Old English dyppan (“to dip”).

Synonyms

dent

cavity

hollow

hole

🕳️

dimpled chad

pregnant chad

navel

dint

dot

excavation

fissure

fossa

gap

indentation

nest

nick

opening

pit

pitting

pothole

punctuate

recess

saddle

scoop

socket

stud

microvesicle

depression

burrow

cleft chin

cave

cheek

chequer

chip

chuckhole

cranny

Translations

fossette

fossetta

hoyuelo

Grübchen

covinha

gamze

kuiltje

ondear

👋

arricciare

deuken

buco

🕳️

indeuken

eindellen

kräuseln

Delle