dimple

1 of 2

noun

dim·​ple ˈdim-pəl 

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

ˈdim-p(ə-)lē 

adjective

dimple

2 of 2

verb

dimpled; dimpling ˈdim-p(ə-)liŋ 

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

Using your fingertips, make small dimples about 1 inch apart in dough, gently stretching and pushing dough toward edges of pan. —Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 10 July 2025

The fossilized rock is covered in dimples from raindrops, hinting at a shower just before the tracks were made—and indicating the amniotes were likely moving on dry land, as some of the paper’s authors write in an article for the Conversation. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025

Verb

Workers in protective gear employ a variety of tools to create the final surface texture, here dimpled on the outside and cratered on the inside, parts of the brass polished to exalt its natural pinkish gold color. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 June 2025

Light poured down the long hallway, dimpled and rose-colored, the dust from the carpet rising and falling. —Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

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

Rhymes for dimple

• pimple
• simple

Kids Definition

dimple

1 of 2 noun

dim·​ple ˈdim-pəl 

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 

: to mark with or form dimples

Medical Definition

dimple

1 of 2 noun

dim·​ple ˈdim-pəl 

: 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 

transitive verb

: to mark with dimples

intransitive verb

: to exhibit or form dimples