dent
1[ dent ]
/ dɛnt /
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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.
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Idioms about dent
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
11250–1300; Middle English dente, variant of dint
OTHER WORDS FROM dent
un·dent·ed, adjectiveOther definitions for dent (2 of 4)
dent2
[ 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
2Other definitions for dent (3 of 4)
Other definitions for dent (4 of 4)
dent.
abbreviation
dental.
dentist.
dentistry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use dent in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for dent (1 of 3)
dent1
/ (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
British Dictionary definitions for dent (2 of 3)
dent2
/ (dɛnt) /
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
British Dictionary definitions for dent (3 of 3)
dent.
abbreviation for
dental
dentistry
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for dent
dent-
pref.
Variant ofdenti-
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Other Idioms and Phrases with dent
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.