dent
1 Americannoun
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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)
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to make a dent in or on; indent.
The impact dented the car's fender.
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to have the effect of reducing or slightly injuring.
The caustic remark dented his ego.
verb (used without object)
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to show dents; become indented.
Tin dents more easily than steel.
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to sink in, making a dent.
Nails dent into metal.
idioms
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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.
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make a dent, to cause a person to take heed; make an impression.
The doctor told him to stop smoking, but it didn't make a dent.
noun
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a toothlike projection, as a tooth of a gearwheel.
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Textiles. the space between two wires through which the warp ends are drawn in the reed of a loom.
abbreviation
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dental.
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dentist.
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dentistry.
noun
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a hollow or dip in a surface, as one made by pressure or a blow
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an appreciable effect, esp of lessening
a dent in our resources
verb
noun
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a toothlike protuberance, esp the tooth of a sprocket or gearwheel
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textiles the space between two wires in a loom through which a warp thread is drawn
abbreviation
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dental
-
dentistry
Usage
What does dent- mean? Dent- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “tooth.” It is used in some medical and scientific terms, including in dentistry.Dent- comes from the Latin dēns, meaning “tooth.” Greek words for “tooth” are odṓn, source of the combining forms odonto- and -odont, and odoús, source of the combining form -odus.The word dent, as in "a hollow or depression in a surface," does not share a root with the combining form dent-. Learn where dent comes from at our entry for the word.What are variants of dent-?Dent- is a variant of dento-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use dento- article.Another, more common, variant of dent-, especially before a form with a Latin root, is denti-, as in dentiform.
Other Word Forms
- undented adjective
Etymology
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But Flock’s AI-powered cameras go even further by also documenting other identifying vehicle details, such as make, model and color, as well as any distinctive markings like scratches or dents on a bumper.
From Los Angeles Times
Watch highlights as Wolves dent Aston Villa's Champions League qualification hopes with a 2-0 home win, ensuring they better the worst Premier League points tally set by Derby County.
From BBC
Focusing on earnings might ultimately be a way to cut through the increasing noise that has been denting stocks recently.
From Barron's
Focusing on earnings might ultimately be a way to cut through the increasing noise that has been denting stocks recently.
From Barron's
If weakness in the sector drags on broader economic growth, that could dent the case for rate hikes.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
