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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Some abandoned vehicles that look pretty much intact, apart from a dented bonnet here or a flat tyre there, are not spared either.

From BBC

I can dent the world with words, but I can't seem to keep my bank account positive.

From Salon

Giving the Chargers a 13-7 lead going into halftime, Herbert handed the ball to center Bradley Bozeman and the offensive lineman’s spike nearly dented the turf in the end zone.

From Los Angeles Times

Lower demand has led car makers to cut prices, which has dented their profits.

From BBC

Related Words

• incision
• indentation