Squinch

In Appalachian & Southern speech, squinch means to squeeze or scrunch the eyes or face tightly, often to see better, brace for something, or block out light. It’s a regional verb that survives strongly in mountain and rural Southern English.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Southern

synonyms: squint

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll often hear somebody say ' you gotta squinch your eyes,' which is wrinklin' up your face and almost closing them.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

You'll often hear somebody say ' you gotta squinch your eyes,' which is wrinklin' up your face and almost closing them.

Pronunciation

[SKWINCH]
/skwɪnt͡ʃ/

Meaning & Usage

- To squeeze the eyes tightly shut (verb)

Mae:

Can you see it?

Earl:

Hang on, I’m squinchin’ my eyes.

- To scrunch or pinch up the face (verb)

Mae:

You don’t like it?

Earl:

Made me squinch my whole face up.

variations: squinchedm squinchin, squinch up

★ "Squinch" tends to show up when a moment calls for a tight, reflexive squeeze - sunlight, bad smells, strong winds, or anything that makes a person fire off that quick little scrunch. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Squinch" comes from older British and Scots dialect verbs related to squinting or drawing together. While early forms appear in scattered English sources, the verb was preserved most strongly in Appalachian, Ozark, and rural Southern English, where it continues as an everyday household term.

Usage Notes

"Squinch" remains common in both Appalachian and Southern rural speech, especially among older generations and families with deep regional ties. Outside these regions, most speakers use "squint," "scrunch," or "pinch up," and many have never heard "squinch" used as a verb.

Often used with "up": "squinch up your eyes," "squinched up his face."
Common around bright light, heat, wind, or messy situations.
Appears in regional storytelling and family talk more than in formal writing.
Rare in the Northern and Western U.S. except as a regionalism noted by outsiders.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "squinch" the same as "squint"?

Close - "squinch" usually implies a tighter, more scrunched-up motion than a plain squint.

Is it used outside the South and Appalachia?

Occasionally, but it’s uncommon. Most non-Southern speakers use "squint" or "scrunch."

Is "squinch" still understood by younger speakers?

Yes. It remains in active, everyday use in many Southern and Appalachian families.

Is it considered slang?

Not exactly. It’s a regional verb - informal but not modern slang.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 25). Squinch. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/squinch
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Squinch." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/squinch.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Squinch." HillbillySlang.com. November 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/squinch.