dent

¹

[ dent ]

noun

1. a hollow or depression in a surface, as from a blow.
2. a noticeable effect, especially of reduction:

   to leave a dent in one's savings;

   a dent in one's pride.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a dent in or on; indent:

   The impact dented the car's fender.

2. to have the effect of reducing or slightly injuring:

   The caustic remark dented his ego.

verb (used without object)

1. to show dents; become indented:

   Tin dents more easily than steel.

2. to sink in, making a dent:

   Nails dent into metal.

dent

²

[ dent ]

noun

1. a toothlike projection, as a tooth of a gearwheel.
2. Textiles. the space between two wires through which the warp ends are drawn in the reed of a loom.

dent-

³

1. variant of denti- before a vowel:

   dentin.

dent.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. dental.
2. dentist.
3. dentistry.

dent

¹

/ dɛnt /

noun

1. a toothlike protuberance, esp the tooth of a sprocket or gearwheel
2. textiles the space between two wires in a loom through which a warp thread is drawn

dent.

²

abbreviation for

1. dental
2. dentistry

dent

³

/ dɛnt /

noun

1. a hollow or dip in a surface, as one made by pressure or a blow
2. an appreciable effect, esp of lessening

   a dent in our resources

verb

1. to impress or be impressed with a dent or dents

Other Words From

• un·dented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dent¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dint, dent, dunt “blow of a weapon; stroke of a sword”; dint

Origin of dent²

First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French, from Latin dent- (stem of dēns ) tooth

Word History and Origins

Origin of dent¹

C16: from French: tooth

Origin of dent²

C13 (in the sense: a stroke, blow): variant of dint

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make a dent in, to show initial progress; pass an initial stage of (work, thought, solving a problem, etc.):

   I haven't even made a dent in this pile of work.

2. make a dent, Informal. to cause a person to take heed; make an impression:

   The doctor told him to stop smoking, but it didn't make a dent.

More idioms and phrases containing dent

see make a dent in .

Example Sentences

Paul's venture into the sport - and his brashness - has been met with dismay by those who feel a YouTuber does not deserve the opportunity to dent former Tyson's boxing legacy.

From BBC

But Los Angeles now has a substantial infusion of continuing, dedicated funding to make a dent in homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

Observers expect a multi-cornered contest in the general election, which may ultimately dent the chances of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, enacting ambitious reforms.

From BBC

It has not displaced X as a hub for the formation of elite public opinion, but it could dent Musk’s monopoly on that kind of discussion if enough power users, politicians, and companies eventually move.

From Slate

A brief drizzle Sunday evening gave firefighters a short break but did not make a long-term dent in drought conditions or wildfire risks.

From Slate

Related Words

• incision
• indentation