indent
indent — noun
- indentsingular
- indentsplural
1. an inward hollow, cut, or blank area found across an object's surface, including
an inward hollow, cut, or blank area found across an object's surface, including the space left empty at the start of a line of writing before the first word begins.
Lucía set a half-inch indent at the beginning of each new paragraph in her school report.
indent + of + measurement for text formatting
Nellie noticed a small indent on the kitchen counter where the hot pan had rested.
indent on [surface] — physical dent from heat
The indent in the sofa cushion showed exactly where the family cat liked to sleep every afternoon.
Liang adjusted the indent of the block quotation so it stood apart from the main text of the essay.
- dent
used only for physical hollows caused by impact or pressure, never for text formatting
- indentation
a longer, slightly more formal alternative that works for both text and physical contexts
- notch
a narrow V-shaped cut along an edge, sharper and more deliberate than a general indent
- recess
a larger hollow space set back from a surface, such as a niche in a wall
- protrusion
a part that sticks outward rather than going inward
文法句型
indent + in/on [surface]
indent + of [measurement]
用法筆記
Covers both text-formatting indents (blank space before a line) and physical dents (hollows on a surface). The context — writing versus objects — tells the reader which meaning applies.
常見錯誤
2. a formal written document sent by an organization to a supplier, asking for a sp
a formal written document sent by an organization to a supplier, asking for a specific quantity of goods to be delivered, often across international borders.
Shirin checked that the indent for laboratory chemicals had been approved before the supplier started packing the order.
indent + for + [goods] + approved by [authority]
Dario signed the indent for twelve new office desks and forwarded it to the finance department.
sign an indent + for [items]
Before the rainy season, the village council submitted an indent for sandbags and tarpaulins to the regional government.
The factory's indent for raw steel was held up because the operations director had not yet reviewed the quantity.
- purchase order
the standard American English term for a formal request to buy goods
- requisition
an internal formal request within an organization, common in military and government contexts
- order
a general term that covers both formal and everyday requests
文法句型
indent + for [goods]
place/submit + an indent
approve an indent
用法筆記
More common in British, Indian, and Commonwealth business English than in American English. In the United States, 'purchase order' or 'requisition' is the standard term. The noun almost always refers to a bulk or formal request, not an everyday purchase.
常見錯誤
indent — verb
- indentpresent simple I / you / we / they
- indentshe / she / it
- indentedpast simple
- indenting-ing form
1. to set the opening words of a paragraph or passage in from the main margin, or t
to set the opening words of a paragraph or passage in from the main margin, or to press a surface inward so that a dip or hollow forms.
Yael always indents the first line of each paragraph when she writes a university assignment.
indent + first line + paragraph + in academic writing
A heavy cardboard box had indented the soft lawn near the garden shed after a week of rain.
indented by [heavy object] on [soft surface] — physical dent
The word processor automatically indents the first line unless you change the paragraph settings.
Indent the long quotation from the left margin so readers can see it is separate from your own writing.
The mattress was indented on both sides from years of the same two people sleeping in the same spots.
- protrude
to stick out rather than go inward
文法句型
indent + [text]
indent + [surface/object]
indent from [margin]
用法筆記
The text-formatting meaning is by far the most common use of 'indent' in everyday written English. For the physical-dent meaning, the object is typically a soft or malleable surface such as soil, fabric, cushioning, or soft metal. The text-formatting sense can be used both transitively ('indent the paragraph') and intransitively ('the text indents automatically').
常見錯誤
2. to send a formal written request to a supplier asking for a particular quantity
to send a formal written request to a supplier asking for a particular quantity of goods, usually in large amounts or from abroad.
The clinic indented for two thousand doses of flu vaccine before the winter season arrived.
indent + for + quantity + [goods]
The head office indented the replacement engine parts directly from the Japanese manufacturer.
indent + [goods] + directly from [supplier]
The army base indented for enough food supplies to last three months through the central logistics office.
Anya indented for new laboratory equipment at the start of the financial year, before the old machines broke down.
- order
the general-purpose verb for requesting goods; less formal and far more common across all varieties of English
- requisition
used in military and government contexts for formally requesting supplies
- place an order for
a more explicit phrase that makes the action very clear
文法句型
indent + for [goods]
indent + [goods] + from [supplier]
用法筆記
Primarily found in British, Indian, and Commonwealth English, especially in government, military, and large-organization contexts. In American English, 'order' or 'requisition' is the usual verb. The verb is typically followed by 'for' before the goods when the quantity is stated, but can also take the goods as a direct object.
常見錯誤
3. to cut or form a series of small V-shaped marks or narrow hollows along the edge
to cut or form a series of small V-shaped marks or narrow hollows along the edge of a piece of material, or along a natural feature such as a coastline.
The artisan indented the edge of the copper sheet with a small chisel to create a decorative border.
indent + [material] + with [tool] for decoration
The coastline was deeply indented with narrow inlets where small fishing boats could take shelter from storms.
Darius indented the leather strap at regular intervals before punching the holes for the buckle.
The ceramicist indented the rim of the clay bowl with the back of a wooden spoon.
文法句型
indent + [edge/surface]
indented + with [tool]
indented + at [intervals]
用法筆記
This sense is the least common of the three verb meanings in everyday speech. It appears mainly in descriptions of craft or woodworking techniques and in geographical descriptions of coastlines. The resulting shape is usually a series of sharp, deliberate cuts rather than a single smooth dent.