Definition

1. Verb:

   • To partly close one's eyes, often in response to bright light or to see something more clearly.
   • To have eyes that look in different directions; to be cross-eyed (a medical condition: strabismus).

2. Noun:

   • The act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed.
   • A condition where the eyes are not properly aligned and look in different directions; a strabismus.

3. Adjective:

   • (Of an eye) affected by strabismus; looking obliquely.
   • (Of a glance or look) directed sideways or obliquely, often suggesting doubt, suspicion, envy, or secrecy.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:

  • She had to squint to read the small print on the label.
  • The bright sun made him squint as he stepped outside.
  • The child's left eye squints slightly when he is tired.

• Noun:

  • He gave the document a quick squint before signing.
  • The doctor diagnosed the baby with a squint and recommended exercises.

• Adjective:

  • He gave her a squint, suspicious look from across the room.
  • The old portrait showed a man with a squint eye.

Advanced Usage

• "Have/take a squint at (something)" (informal): To take a quick look at something.
  • Can you have a squint at this engine and tell me what's wrong?
• "Squint through": To look at something through nearly closed eyes or a narrow opening.
  • She squinted through the keyhole to see who was outside.

Variants and Related Words

• Squinty (adjective): Characterized by squinting.
  • He had a permanent, squinty expression from years of working in the sun.
• Squinter (noun): A person who squints.
• Squint-eyed (adjective): Having a squint; looking askance.

Synonyms

• Verb: Peer, screw up one's eyes, narrow one's eyes, blink.
• Noun: Glance, peek, peer, strabismus.
• Adjective: Askance, sidelong, oblique.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Phrases

• Squint at: To look at something with partly closed eyes.
  • Why are you squinting at the screen? Adjust the brightness.
• Squint up/down: To squint while looking upward or downward.
  • She squinted up at the tall building.

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• Look at something with a squint eye: To view something with suspicion or disapproval.
  • The conservative members looked at the new proposal with a squint eye.
• A squint in one's eye: A tendency or inclination towards something.
  • He's always had a squint in his eye for adventure. (This usage is less common and somewhat archaic.)

Adjective

1. (used especially of glances) directed to one side with or as if with doubt or suspicion or envy
   • her eyes with their misted askance look- Elizabeth Bowen
   • sidelong glances

Noun

1. the act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed
2. abnormal alignment of one or both eyes

Verb

1. partly close one's eyes, as when hit by direct blinding light
   • The driver squinted as the sun hit his windshield
2. be cross-eyed; have a squint or strabismus
3. cross one's eyes as if in strabismus
   • The children squinted so as to scare each other