squint

UK: /ˈskwɪnt/ US: /skwɪnt/ ,(skwint)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

squint /skwɪnt/   v. [no object]

1. to look with the eyes partly closed:
   squinted through the microscope.
2. Ophthalmology [not: be + ~-ing] to be affected with a condition in which the eyes are crossed and look in two different directions.

n. 

3. [countable] an act or instance of squinting.
4. [uncountable] a condition of the eye in which the eyes are crossed.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

squint (skwint),  v.i. 

1. to look with the eyes partly closed.
2. Ophthalmology to be affected with strabismus;
   be cross-eyed.
3. to look or glance obliquely or sidewise;
   look askance.
4. to make or have an indirect reference to or bearing on;
   tend or incline toward (usually fol. by toward, at, etc.).

v.t. 

5. to close (the eyes) partly in looking:
   The baby squinted its eyes at the bright lights.
6. Ophthalmology to cause to squint;
   cause to look obliquely.

n. 

7. an act or instance of squinting.
8. [Ophthalm.] a condition of the eye consisting in noncoincidence of the optic axes;
   strabismus.
9. Informal Terms a quick glance:
   Let me have a squint at that paper.
10. a looking obliquely or askance.
11. an indirect reference.
12. an inclination or tendency, esp. an oblique or perverse one.
13. Architecture, Religion Also called hagioscope. (in a church) a small opening in a wall giving a view of the altar.

adj. 

14. looking obliquely;
    looking with a side glance;
    looking askance.
15. [Ophthalm.] (of the eyes) affected with strabismus.

• 1350–1400 for earlier adverb, adverbial sense; 1570–80 for adjective, adjectival senses; Middle English; aphetic variant of asquint

squint′er, n. 
squint′ing•ly, adv. 
squint′ing•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

squint / skwɪnt/ verb

1. (usually intr) to cross or partly close (the eyes)
2. (intransitive) to have a squint
3. (intransitive) to look or glance sideways or askance

noun

1. the nontechnical name for strabismus
2. the act or an instance of squinting; glimpse
3. Also called: hagioscope a narrow oblique opening in a wall or pillar of a church to permit a view of the main altar from a side aisle or transept
4. a quick look; glance

adjective

1. having a squint
2. crooked; askew

Etymology: 14th Century: short for asquint

ˈsquinter noun

ˈsquinty adjective