What does denting mean?
"Denting" is the present participle and gerund of the verb "dent," which means to create a small hollow or indentation in a hard surface through a blow or sustained pressure. A shopping trolley denting a car door or hail denting aluminium siding are typical literal uses. The word also carries a well-established figurative sense: to dent confidence, pride, hopes, or profits is to weaken or diminish them, though not destroy them outright — a dented reputation can usually be repaired, which gives the word a connotation of temporary, recoverable setback rather than lasting ruin. This makes it a favourite of journalists and business writers seeking measured language for bad news. The noun "dent" entered English in the medieval period as a variant of "indent," ultimately deriving from the Latin "dens" (tooth), so a dent is literally a little "tooth mark." Whether describing crumpled bodywork or bruised egos, "denting" remains a compact, vivid way to express partial damage.
verb (present participle and gerund of 'dent')The act of making a small hollow or indentation in a hard surface by a blow or pressure; figuratively, weakening or reducing something such as confidence, pride, or sales.
- Making a small hollow or depression in a hard surface by impact or pressure.
- (Figurative) Weakening or reducing something abstract, such as confidence, reputation, enthusiasm, or financial results.
"The hailstorm was denting the roof's metal panels one after another."
"The falling branch kept denting the car bonnet until we moved it indoors."
"Rising fuel prices are denting consumer confidence across the region."
Every dent you've ever seen traces back to the Latin word for tooth — 'dens' — because early English speakers thought those little hollows looked like tooth marks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of denting
The verb "dent" arose in English as a shortened form of "indent," itself from Old French "endenter," meaning to notch like teeth, from Late Latin "indentare" — built on Latin "dens, dentis" (tooth). The noun "dent," meaning a hollow left by a blow, is attested by around the fourteenth century, with the verb following later. The same Latin root gives English "dental," "dentist," "trident," and even "dandelion" (from French "dent de lion," lion's tooth).
Related word forms
How denting is actually used
Both the literal sense (physical damage to metal, paintwork, or other hard surfaces) and the figurative sense (damage to confidence, pride, ego, or figures such as profits) are common in everyday and journalistic English; the figurative use is slightly informal but fully accepted.
Easily confused with denting
'Indenting' means creating an inset margin in text or a notch at an edge, while 'denting' means making a shallow hollow in a surface through impact or pressure.