Squint Meaning
/skwɪnt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo look with the eyes partly closed, as in bright sunlight, or as a threatening expression.
verbTo look or glance sideways.
Sentence Examples
I have a bad squint.
Tom has a squint.
The bright sun made him squint as he walked outside.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When the sun is too bright, you might ____ your eyes to see better.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bright glare from the snow made him ____ as he tried to find his way back to the cabin.
Word Origin & History
Derived from asquint (“obliquely, with a sidelong glance”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron;[…]. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, and from time to time squinting sideways, as usual, in the ever-renewed expectation that he might catch a glimpse of his stiff, retroussé moustache."
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
"Yet if the following sentence means anything, it is a squinting toward hypnotism."
— 1887, The Forum:
"—And here she is, says Alf, that was giggling over the Police Gazette with Terry on the counter, in all her warpaint.
—Give us a squint at her, says I."
— 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 12: The Cyclops]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:
""Better have a squint yourself," suggested Horace, withdrawing his implement and resigning the position. "Listening posts are more in your line by all accounts, inspector.""
— 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
When the sun is too bright, you might ____ your eyes to see better.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bright glare from the snow made him ____ as he tried to find his way back to the cabin.