dent
1[ dent ]
/ dɛnt /
noun
a hollow or depression in a surface, as from a blow.
a noticeable effect, especially of reduction: to leave a dent in one's savings; a dent in one's pride.
verb (used with object)
to make a dent in or on; indent: The impact dented the car's fender.
to have the effect of reducing or slightly injuring: The caustic remark dented his ego.
verb (used without object)
to show dents; become indented: Tin dents more easily than steel.
to sink in, making a dent: Nails dent into metal.
RELATED WORDS
incision, indentation, nick, impression, sink, cut, cavity, scratch, pit, hollow, crater, score, trough, dimple, dint, notch, dip, furrow, scallop, crenel
Nearby words
- densimetric,
- densitometer,
- density,
- density current,
- density function,
- dent corn,
- dent-,
- dent.,
- dental,
- dental abscess
Idioms
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.
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.
Origin of dent
1dent
2[ dent ]
/ dɛnt /
noun
a toothlike projection, as a tooth of a gearwheel.
Textiles. the space between two wires through which the warp ends are drawn in the reed of a loom.
Origin of dent
2dent.
dent-
variant of denti- before a vowel: dentin.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for dent
dent
1/ (dɛnt) /
noun
a hollow or dip in a surface, as one made by pressure or a blow
an appreciable effect, esp of lesseninga dent in our resources
verb
to impress or be impressed with a dent or dents
Word Origin for dent
C13 (in the sense: a stroke, blow): variant of dint
noun
a toothlike protuberance, esp the tooth of a sprocket or gearwheel
textiles the space between two wires in a loom through which a warp thread is drawn
Word Origin for dent
C16: from French: tooth
dent.
abbreviation for
dental
dentistry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dent-
pref.
Variant ofdenti-
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dent
see make a dent in.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.