# dent

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɛnt/ · frequency rank #11,678

## Definitions
1. A shallow deformation in the surface of an object, produced by an impact.
2. A minor effect made upon something.
3. 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.
4. A sudden negative change, such as loss, damage, weakening, consumption or diminution, especially one produced by an external force, event or action

## Etymology
From Middle English dent, dente, dint (“a blow; strike; dent”), from Old English dynt (“blow, strike, the mark or noise of a blow”), from Proto-Germanic *duntiz (“a blow”). Akin to Old Norse dyntr (“dint”). Doublet of dint.

## Easily confused with
- **DT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dt)
- **don** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-don)
- **DNA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dna)
- **Des** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-des)
- **der** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-der)
- **dot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dot)
- **dev** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dev)
- **DNC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dnc)
- **DIN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-din)
- **dew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dew)
- **dun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dun)
- **dex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dex)
- **dey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dey)
- **deo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-deo)
- **dep** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dep)
- **dit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dit)
- **DNR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dnr)
- **DnB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dnb)
- **DMT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dmt)
- **DNP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dent-vs-dnp)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ddent`, `dennt`, `dentt`, `detn`, `dnet`, `ednt`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dent