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Definition of dent verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

dent

verb
 
/dent/
 
/dent/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they dent
 
/dent/
 
/dent/
he / she / it dents
 
/dents/
 
/dents/
past simple dented
 
/ˈdentɪd/
 
/ˈdentɪd/
past participle dented
 
/ˈdentɪd/
 
/ˈdentɪd/
-ing form denting
 
/ˈdentɪŋ/
 
/ˈdentɪŋ/
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  1. dent something to make a hollow place in a hard surface, usually by hitting it
    • The back of the car was badly dented in the collision.
    • The car was quite badly dented on one side.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • slightly
    See full entry
  2. dent something to damage somebody’s confidence, reputation, etc.
    • It seemed that nothing could dent his confidence.
    Extra Examples
    • The experience failed to dent her confidence.
    • Being turned down for the job dented his pride quite badly.
    • Cheap goods from overseas could severely dent the company's sales.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • seriously
    • severely
    verb + dent
    • fail to
    See full entry
  3. Word OriginMiddle English (designating a blow with a weapon): variant of dint.
See dent in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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