แง้ม

Explanation

The core image is of slightly disturbing a closed state to create a narrow gap. Unlike เปิด, the general verb “to open,” แง้ม inherently indicates that something is not opened fully. It can take an object, as in แง้มประตู (“open the door slightly”), or describe a state, as in ประตูแง้มอยู่ (“the door is ajar”). Adding ไว้ conveys leaving it in that partly open position. This physical image also extends figuratively to information or plans: only a small part is disclosed while the rest remains unrevealed. Common patterns include แง้มข้อมูล and แง้มว่า followed by a clause.

Usage

In everyday situations, it is used for leaving a window slightly open for ventilation, cracking a door to look outside, or shifting a lid just enough to create a gap. Figuratively, it often appears when a company or public figure gives a small preview of an upcoming product, plan, or announcement. This use is also common in news reports and headlines.

Caution

แง้ม always implies a limited degree of opening, so it is unsuitable for opening something fully. In its figurative use, it likewise means releasing only a small amount of information, not making a complete disclosure.

1 open slightly synonyms

• อ้า

  âa open wide

  อ้า commonly describes opening or spreading something wide, such as the mouth, arms, or wings. แง้ม emphasizes opening a closed object only a small amount.

• เปิด

  pə̀ət open

  เปิด is the general verb for opening something and does not specify how far it is opened. แง้ม specifically means opening it only a little, leaving a narrow gap.

2 partly reveal (information or plans) synonyms

• เปรย

  prəəy hint at

  เปรย focuses on casually mentioning or indirectly saying something. แง้ม more strongly suggests giving a small glimpse of information that has otherwise been kept private.

• เผย

  phə̌əy reveal

  เผย broadly means to reveal or disclose something, without specifying how much is made known. แง้ม suggests giving only a small glimpse while keeping the rest undisclosed.