squint
/skwɪnt/ (bre, ipa) · [skwˈɪnt] /skwɪnt/ (ame, ipa) · [skwˈɪnt] /ˈskwint How to pronounce squint (audio)/ (ame, mw)
squint — verb
- squintpresent simple I / you / we / they
- squintshe / she / it
- squintedpast simple
- squinting-ing form
1. to narrow your eyes so you can see something better, or so strong light does not
to narrow your eyes so you can see something better, or so strong light does not trouble them as much
Noa squinted at the house number through the heavy rain.
squint + at + noun to see better
Tara squinted into the sunset as the boat moved away from shore.
squint + into + bright light
The mechanic squinted at the tiny screw under the desk lamp.
Sayaka squinted through the dirty bus window to read the station sign.
文法句型
squint + at + noun
squint + into + bright light
squint + through + noun
squint + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Usually followed by at, into, or through when you say what the person is trying to see. It often suggests either very small detail or uncomfortable brightness.
常見錯誤
2. if someone squints, one eye turns inward or outward instead of staying aligned w
if someone squints, one eye turns inward or outward instead of staying aligned with the other one because the eye muscles are not working together normally
The little boy squinted slightly, so the nurse booked an eye test.
person + squint
After the accident, Roya's right eye started to squint inward.
eye + squint + inward
The doctor explained that the child squints more when tired.
In old photos, Christopher squinted a little before he got treatment.
- be cross-eyed
a plainer everyday description of the condition
- strabismus
the formal medical term for the same condition
文法句型
person + squint
eye + squint + inward/outward
squint + more/less + when + condition
用法筆記
Used of a person or of one eye. This sense describes an eye that turns off line, not the ordinary act of narrowing the eyes in sense 1.
squint — noun
- squintsingular
- squintsplural
1. a condition in which the eyes do not point in the same direction because the eye
a condition in which the eyes do not point in the same direction because the eye muscles are not balanced in the usual way
The specialist said the child's squint could improve with early treatment.
have a squint / treat a squint
Mina wore an eye patch for months to help her squint.
The clinic treats squints before they begin to affect reading.
Eve's squint was mild, but bright light made it easier to notice.
- strabismus
the formal medical label for the condition
- cross-eye
an everyday description, though less neutral in tone
文法句型
have a squint
mild/slight squint
treat/correct a squint
用法筆記
Usually used for the medical condition itself, often in contexts about treatment, eye tests, or childhood vision. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the temporary act or look of half-closing the eyes.
2. a look in which someone narrows their eyes, usually because they are trying to s
a look in which someone narrows their eyes, usually because they are trying to see better or judge something carefully
With a puzzled squint, Sofia reread the faded menu above the counter.
with a + adjective + squint
The old man gave the map a careful squint before turning left.
give something a + squint
Harper's squint deepened as she tried to thread the tiny needle.
The photographer noticed Aya's squint whenever the flash went off.
文法句型
with a + adjective + squint
give something a + adjective + squint
someone's squint deepens
用法筆記
This sense names the look or act of half-closing the eyes for a moment. Distinguish it from sense 1, the continuing eye condition, and from sense 3, which means a brief look at something.
3. a quick look at something, especially to check or notice it without spending lon
a quick look at something, especially to check or notice it without spending long
Take a squint at the noticeboard and tell me our room number.
take a squint at + noun
Eve had a squint at her phone while waiting for the lift.
have a squint at + noun
The guard let us have a squint through the half-open door.
I only had time for a squint at the first page.
文法句型
take a squint at + noun
have a squint at + noun
用法筆記
Common in British informal English, usually in the pattern have or take a squint at something. It means a brief look, not the eye expression in sense 2.
常見錯誤
squint — adjective
- squintpositive
- squintercomparative
- squintestsuperlative
1. showing a sideways look that suggests doubt, suspicion, envy, or quiet dislike
showing a sideways look that suggests doubt, suspicion, envy, or quiet dislike
The guard gave Roya a squint glance after hearing the late excuse.
a squint glance
Squint glances moved around the table when the figures stopped matching.
plural pattern: squint glances
At the word "free", the salesman met several squint glances from the crowd.
The neighbour's squint glance told Tara he still doubted her story.
文法句型
a squint glance
squint glances
用法筆記
Used mainly before nouns like glance or glances. It suggests sideways suspicion, doubt, or contempt rather than the eye condition described in the verb and noun medical senses.