dented

Everyday

1. Having a dent or dents; pushed in a little by being hit. tree →
2. (of feelings) Hurt or weakened: «dented pride», «dented confidence». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life it describes damaged objects: a dented can, a dented car, a dented helmet. In safety lessons: a dented bike helmet should be replaced because it may no longer protect you. In stories, «dented pride» shows a character upset after failing.

Examples

• The shop sells dented tins at half price. tree →
• His old car was dented and scratched. tree →
• Replace a helmet if it gets dented in a crash. tree →
• She tried to fix the dented saucepan. tree →
• His pride was dented when he lost to his little sister. tree →
• The dented bin rolled down the hill. tree →
• Here they dropped the poor Woodman, who fell a great distance to the rocks, where he lay so battered and dented that he could neither move nor groan. tree →

Note

Past form and adjective of «dent». Pronounced «DEN-tid». A dented tin can still be safe, but a badly dented, bulging or leaking one should be thrown away.