dimple

noun dim·ple \ ˈdim-pəl \

Definition of dimple

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)

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dimply

play \-p(ə-)lē\ adjective

See dimple defined for English-language learners

See dimple defined for kids

Examples of dimple in a Sentence

She noticed his dimples when he smiled.
the dimples on a golf ball

Recent Examples of dimple from the Web

Because of a delicate glass dimple in the dome, condensation is channeled back onto the plant below, allowing you to grow that most forest-y of all plants: moss.

— cindy dampier, chicagotribune.com, "Magic garden: A tiny, moss-filled pleasure dome for your desk," 17 Aug. 2017
There’s a new option for people who can’t seem to get enough of the dimples belonging to stars like Gabrielle Union, Miranda Kerr and Brad Pitt’s — a procedure called dimpleplasty.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Dimpleplasties Are the Latest Fad in Plastic Surgery," 3 Aug. 2017
Day One rolls out performers from around the country and includes headliner Eileen Galvin (Columbus) and featured performers Tre De Marc (Minneapolis) and Dimples Diamond (Columbus).

— john petkovic, cleveland.com, "Ohio Burlesque Festival brings 80 acts, photo show to Beachland, Space: ROCK (photos)," 3 Aug. 2017
The problem is, Baby Girl is all grown up and that weird little dimple at the very front of her bald head is gone.

— kelly kazek | kkazek@al.com, AL.com, "Why I could use an 820-pound wild boar on my roof. For reals, y'all," 20 July 2017
Next to the deep sea's mountains and gorges, the Grand Canyon is a mere dimple, Mount Everest a bunny slope and the Highlands an anthill on the horn of Africa.

— kyle frischkorn, Smithsonian, "Why The First Complete Map of the Ocean Floor Is Stirring Controversial Waters," 13 July 2017
The female body grows and slows, pimples and dimples, and leaks and creaks.

— aly viny, Cosmopolitan, "10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know About Her Body," 5 July 2017
Azor is thin and charming, with a square jaw and dimples.

— dinitia smith, Daily Intelligencer, "Straight Outta Queens," 30 June 2017
Conversely, alcohol is essential to the Jungs’ enterprise at Pips, which is named for the dimples on vintage paddles.

— mike seely, New York Times, "Where the Ping-Pong Scene Never Sleeps," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dimple.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dimple

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

dimple

verb

Definition of dimple

dimpled; dimpling play \-p(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

:to mark with dimples

a baby's dimpled hands

intransitive verb

:to exhibit or form dimples

Origin and Etymology of dimple

see ¹dimple

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1602

See Words from the same year

DIMPLE Defined for English Language Learners

dimple

noun

Definition of dimple for English Language Learners

: a small area on a part of a person's body (such as the cheek or chin) that naturally curves in
: a small area on a surface that curves in

DIMPLE Defined for Kids

dimple

noun dim·ple \ ˈdim-pəl \

Definition of dimple for Students

:a slight hollow spot especially in the cheek or chin

Medical Dictionary

dimple

noun dim·ple \ ˈdim-pəl \

medical Definition of dimple

:a slight natural indentation or hollow in the surface of some part of the human body (as on a cheek or the chin)

dimple

verb

medical Definition of dimple

dimpled; dimpling play \-p(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

:to mark with dimples

intransitive verb

:to exhibit or form dimples

Learn More about dimple

See words that rhyme with dimple Spanish Central: Translation of dimple Nglish: Translation of dimple for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dimple for Arabic speakers

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Examples of dimple in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of dimple

dimple

Definition of dimple

Origin and Etymology of dimple

DIMPLE Defined for English Language Learners

dimple

Definition of dimple for English Language Learners

DIMPLE Defined for Kids

dimple

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medical Definition of dimple

dimple

medical Definition of dimple

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