dent
Definitions
A small hollow in a hard surface made by a knock or pressure
（敲击或受压形成的）凹痕，凹陷
A noticeable reduction in something, such as money or progress
（对金钱、进度等的）削减，打击
To make a dent in a surface; to weaken or damage
使凹陷；削弱，挫伤
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedThe noun dent (a hollow from a blow) has a mixed history: its sense was reinforced by the unrelated Germanic word dint ("a blow, a strike"), but it overlaps neatly with the dent root's idea of a tooth-shaped notch bitten into a surface. Either way the image is the same: something has bitten or knocked a hollow into a hard surface — and figuratively, made a dent in your savings or your confidence.
Root dent still carries 9 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.make a dent in在…上凿出缺口/取得进展
- 2.leave a dent留下凹痕
- 3.a dent in one's savings动用了存款
- 4.put a dent in对…造成削减
Example Sentences
- 1.
Someone parked too close and left a dent in my car door.
- 2.
Buying the house barely made a dent in their savings.
- 3.
The hailstorm dented the roof of nearly every car on the street.