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
verb
dented, denting, dents
To make a dent in.
Webster's New World
To become dented.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
- bulge
- make protrude
- straighten
- increase
abbreviation
Dentist.
Webster's New World
Dentistry.
Webster's New World
affix
Webster's New World
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
Dent Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to dent using the buttons below.