# dent

/ˈdɛnt/ (US) · /dˈɛnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dent
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a physical hollow

noun · CEFR B2

a small hollow place in the surface of something hard, usually caused by being hit.

For teachers: a shallow deformation or indentation in a surface, typically resulting from a physical impact.

- There was a small dent in the car door where a shopping cart had hit it.
- The hail storm was severe enough to leave several noticeable dents in the aluminium siding of the warehouse.

### 2. a reduction or negative effect

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a reduction in the amount of something, or a negative effect on your progress or feelings.

For teachers: a significant but usually partial reduction in amount, progress, or confidence, often caused by an external factor.

- The expensive repair bill made a big dent in my savings this month.
- Despite the aggressive marketing campaign, the new competitor failed to make a significant dent in the company's market share.

### 4. to damage or weaken

verb · CEFR B2

to make something like pride or confidence less strong.

For teachers: to diminish or weaken something abstract, such as pride, reputation, or confidence.

- Failing the driving test really dented his confidence for a few weeks.
- The scandal did not just hurt the politician's popularity; it permanently dented his reputation among younger voters.

## Examples

- There is a small dent in the car door.
- The high cost of the repairs made a significant dent in my monthly savings.
- Despite the team's tireless efforts throughout the quarter, their progress barely made a dent in the massive backlog of unresolved customer complaints.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.