dent

1
[ dent ]
/ dɛnt /

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.

Idioms for 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

1
1250–1300; Middle English dente, variant of dint

OTHER WORDS FROM dent

un·dent·ed, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for make a dent in (1 of 2)

dent 1
/ (dɛnt) /

noun

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

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 make a dent in (2 of 2)

dent 2
/ (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

Idioms and Phrases with make a dent in (1 of 2)

make a dent in

Begin to accomplish or consume something, as in I've barely made a dent in this pile of correspondence, or Help us put a dent in this pie. This metaphoric expression alludes to striking a blow to make a physical indentation in something.

Idioms and Phrases with make a dent in (2 of 2)

dent

see make a dent in.