squint

[/skwɪnt/]
verb/nounpl: squints
apertar os olhos; estrabismo
1. (verb) to look at someone or something with eyes partly closed, typically in an attempt to see more clearly or because of bright light
She squinted at the small print on the label.
Ela apertou os olhos para ler a letra miúda no rótulo.
2. (verb) to have a tendency of the eyes to look in different directions; to have strabismus
The child squints when looking at the board from far away.
A criança tem estrabismo ao tentar ver o quadro de longe.
3. (noun) the act or an instance of squinting
He took a squint at the document to try to understand it.
Ele deu uma olhadinha no documento para tentar entendê-lo.
4. (noun) a medical condition where the eyes are misaligned (strabismus)
The doctor diagnosed the patient with a squint.
O médico diagnosticou estrabismo no paciente.
In Brazilian culture, 'apertar os olhos' is the everyday expression used when someone squints due to bright light or difficulty seeing. The medical term 'estrabismo' is used in formal/medical contexts. In American English, 'squint' is very common in everyday speech, while in Portugal, the verb 'franzir' is more frequently used.
NYC Slang
scope (when meaning to look at something quickly)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
narrowpeerstrainstrabismuscross-eye
Antonyms / Antônimos
opengazestare

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
apertar os olhos; estrabismo
Most common form used in standard Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
apertar o olho; dar uma espiada
More colloquial, 'dar uma espiada' means to take a quick look
São Paulo
apertar os olhos; dar uma olhada de soslaio
Standard usage, occasionally uses 'soslaio' (sideways glance)
Portugal
franzir os olhos; estrabismo
Portuguese uses 'franzir' more commonly for the facial expression

Related Words

eyevisionsightopticalstrainglance

Related Idioms & Phrases

take a squint at something (British) - to take a quick look at something
squint test - a basic eye test or quick evaluation
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