dent

Plural: dents

Noun

• an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
  • "it made a dent in my bank account"
• a depression scratched or carved into a surface
• an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
• A shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact.
• A minor effect made upon something.
• A type of maize/corn with a relatively soft outer hull, and a soft type of starch that shrinks at maturity to leave an indentation in the surface of the kernel.
• A sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action
• A tooth, as of a card, a gear wheel, etc.
• A slot or a wire in a reed

Verb

Verb Forms: dented, denting, dents

• To make a slight hollow or impression in a surface.
• make a depression into
  • "The bicycle dented my car"
• To impact something, producing a dent.
• To develop a dent or dents.

Examples

• Copper is soft and dents easily.
• His opponent’s triple-word score really put a dent in his lead.
• That purchase put a bit of a dent in my wallet.
• The crash produced a dent in the left side of the car.
• to make a dent

Synonyms

ding, gouge, incision, indent, nick, prick, scratch, slit

Anagrams of dent