dent
/dent/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈɛnt] /dent/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈɛnt] /ˈdent/ (ame, mw)
dent — noun
- dentsingular
- dentsplural
1. a shallow, bowl-shaped hollow pressed into a hard surface by a sudden impact or
a shallow, bowl-shaped hollow pressed into a hard surface by a sudden impact or by steady force over a small area
Lan found a small dent in his new car after the parking lot incident.
collocation: small dent / find a dent
The hailstorm left several deep dents across the metal roof of the old barn.
collocation: deep dent / leave a dent
When Niran dropped the hammer, it created a noticeable dent in the wooden floor.
The delivery van had a large dent near the rear wheel after hitting the gate.
- indentation
more formal, broader term for any inward curve
- ding
informal, used mainly for small marks on metal or vehicles
- dimple
small, natural, or attractive hollow, not accidental damage
文法句型
a dent (in something)
用法筆記
A dent is always an indentation (inward curve), not a raised bump. Use 'dent' for accidental damage; 'dimple' for small, intentional, or attractive hollows.
常見錯誤
2. a noticeable reduction in an amount, supply, or resource, typically caused by us
a noticeable reduction in an amount, supply, or resource, typically caused by using or consuming some of it
Buying new furniture made a noticeable dent in Gabriela's savings account.
pattern: make a dent in [resource]
The charity walk only put a small dent in the funds for the new hospital.
Even with discounts, the holiday spending put a big dent in their monthly household budget.
The team's overtime hardly made any dent in the mountain of unfinished customer orders.
文法句型
make a dent in [resource]
put a dent in [resource]
a dent in [amount]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the phrases 'make a dent in' or 'put a dent in'. It frequently appears in negative contexts ('not make a dent') to suggest that efforts were insufficient.
常見錯誤
3. a short written form of the words 'dental', 'dentist', or 'dentistry', used in m
a short written form of the words 'dental', 'dentist', or 'dentistry', used in medical notes, labels, and appointment records
The clinic door had a small sign that read 'Dent. Surg.' — short for Dental Surgery.
abbreviation on signage
On the referral form, the GP wrote 'dent. exam needed' to request a dental check-up.
The dentist's business card listed her degree as 'Dent. Med.' under her name.
The hospital directory used 'Dent.' to mark the dentistry department on the second floor.
The insurance form had 'dent. surg.' listed under the list of approved procedures.
文法句型
used in writing, not speech
用法筆記
This abbreviation appears mainly in written medical records, prescription pads, and professional directories. It is not used in spoken English. The period after 'dent' is standard in formal writing.
4. a word element originating from Latin that means 'tooth' or 'teeth', used in med
a word element originating from Latin that means 'tooth' or 'teeth', used in medical and biological terminology
The word 'dentist' comes from the combining form 'dent-' which means tooth.
combining form in common words
In biology class, Sahil studied the dentition patterns of different mammal species.
dentition (derived term)
The dentist explained that dentine is the hard layer beneath the enamel of a tooth.
A trident has three prongs, and its name comes from the Latin for 'three teeth'.
The dental student memorized the names of all the dentin layers for the exam.
文法句型
used as a prefix or root in compound words
用法筆記
The combining form appears in many English words: dentist, dental, denture, dentine, dentition, and trident (three-toothed). It is not a standalone word — it must attach to another word element.
dent — verb
- dentpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dentshe / she / it
- dentedpast simple
- denting-ing form
1. to strike or press a surface so that a shallow, bowl-shaped hollow forms there
to strike or press a surface so that a shallow, bowl-shaped hollow forms there
Eli accidentally dented the metal filing cabinet when he moved his desk across the room.
The falling coconut dented the roof of Shirin's garden shed beyond repair.
transitive: dent + object (physical)
Someone dented the side panel of Christopher's bicycle while it was locked outside the station.
Hoa dropped a heavy textbook and dented the corner of the wooden coffee table.
- flatten
opposite action — to make a surface level again
文法句型
dent + noun (physical object)
用法筆記
Commonly used in passive voice: 'The car door was dented by a shopping cart.' The object is typically a hard, manufactured surface such as a vehicle, appliance, or piece of furniture.
常見錯誤
2. to weaken or reduce someone's confidence, pride, reputation, or another intangib
to weaken or reduce someone's confidence, pride, reputation, or another intangible personal quality, often through failure or criticism
Failing the driving test dented Soraya's confidence more than she had expected.
collocation: dent + confidence
The team's unexpected loss to a weaker opponent dented their reputation among local fans.
collocation: dent + reputation
Wren's professional pride was dented when the committee rejected her proposal without discussion.
The sharp criticism from a senior colleague dented Anna's belief in her own research abilities.
文法句型
dent + [confidence / pride / reputation / morale]
用法筆記
The object must be an abstract quality — never a person or body part. Frequently used in passive constructions ('His pride was dented'). This sense is not used with the 'make/put a dent in' frame (that belongs to noun sense 2).