Dent Definition

dĕnt
dented, denting, dents
noun
dents
A slight hollow made in a surface by a blow or pressure.
Webster's New World
An appreciable effect, often a lessening or adverse effect.
Webster's New World
Meaningful progress; headway.
At least made a dent in the work.
American Heritage
A toothlike projection as in a gearwheel, lock, etc.
Webster's New World

(by extension, informal) A sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action.

That purchase put a bit of a dent in my wallet.
Wiktionary
Antonyms:
verb
dented, denting, dents
To make a dent in.
Webster's New World
To become dented.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
abbreviation
Dentist.
Webster's New World
Dentistry.
Webster's New World
affix
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Dent

Noun

Singular:
dent
Plural:
dents

Origin of Dent

  • Middle English dent, dente, dint (“blow, strike, dent”), from Old English dynt (“blow, strike, the mark or noise of a blow”), from Proto-Germanic *duntiz (“a blow”). Akin to Old Norse dyntr (“dint”). More at dint.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English dent variant of dint blow from Old English dynt

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • French, from Latin dens, dentis, tooth. See tooth.

    From Wiktionary

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