# dimple

/ˈdɪmpəɫ/ (US) · /dˈɪmpəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dimple
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. on the face

noun · CEFR B2

a small hollow place on your skin, especially on your cheek when you smile.

For teachers: a small natural indentation in the flesh, typically on the cheek or chin, that becomes visible when a person smiles.

- The little girl had a deep dimple in her right cheek whenever she laughed.
- Geneticists often describe the presence of facial dimples as a dominant trait, though their appearance can vary significantly between individuals.

### 2. on a surface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a small dent or hollow in the surface of an object.

For teachers: a slight depression or indentation in the surface of an object, whether functional or accidental.

- The dimples on a golf ball help it fly further through the air.
- Aerodynamic engineers carefully calculate the depth and distribution of dimples on the surface to reduce drag and improve lift.

### 3. to form small dents

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to produce small, shallow holes or curves in a surface.

For teachers: to produce or mark with small indentations; can be used transitively or intransitively.

- A light rain began to dimple the surface of the calm lake.
- The sudden breeze dimpled the water's surface, breaking the perfect reflection of the surrounding mountains.

Usage: Often used in a literary context to describe water or soft materials.

## Examples

- She has a small dimple on her left cheek.
- The old wooden table had a deep dimple where the heavy lamp had sat for years.
- The artist used a series of tiny dimples in the clay to create a textured effect that caught the light differently than a smooth surface would.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.