dent
1a 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.
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.
to show dents; become indented: Tin dents more easily than steel.
to sink in, making a dent: Nails dent into metal.
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
1Other words from dent
- un·dent·ed, adjective
Other definitions for dent (2 of 4)
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)
variant of denti- before a vowel: dentin.
Other definitions for dent. (4 of 4)
dental.
dentist.
dentistry.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dent in a sentence
My desk still has the dent from where I hit my head against it when I heard that one.
That is bound to put a dent in public confidence in the police.
Idris Elba on Eric Garner, ‘Mi Mandela,’ and Selling Weed to Dave Chappelle | Marlow Stern | December 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEven with mixed reviews, the film did little to dent Clooney's reputation.
Plane travel is extremely dehydrating, and continuously purchasing water at airport prices can put a dent in your wallet.
How to Get Cheaper Tickets, Live Like a Local, and Other Great Travel Hacks | Brandon Presser | June 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEmergency benefits have just expired for some 1.3 million jobless Americans, putting a huge dent in our economy.
I guess he can't make a dent on the Chinese disposition, or he'd have had Wong dead before this.
Mystery Ranch | Arthur ChapmanPlease take the dent out of my side, Poly, for I am more crippled than was the Soldier.
The Tin Woodman of Oz | L. Frank BaumThe snow-covered dent du Midi had a splendor like the face of the full moon when it is rising.
Rudy and Babette | Hans Christian AndersenThen he would show the dent in his cheek, and pass his helmet round for all to see, as a conjurer does.
The Relief of Mafeking | Filson YoungMr. John dent was born about the middle of the eighteenth century.
English Book Collectors | William Younger Fletcher
British Dictionary definitions for dent (1 of 3)
/ (dɛnt) /
a hollow or dip in a surface, as one made by pressure or a blow
an appreciable effect, esp of lessening: a dent in our resources
to impress or be impressed with a dent or dents
Origin of dent
1British Dictionary definitions for dent (2 of 3)
/ (dɛnt) /
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
Origin of dent
2British Dictionary definitions for dent. (3 of 3)
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
Browse