What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dented
Example
The fender of the car was dented after the collision. [dented: adjective]
Example
He accidentally dented the metal with a hammer. [dented: verb]
bent
Example
The wire was bent into a U-shape. [bent: adjective]
Example
She bent down to pick up the pencil. [bent: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bent is more commonly used than dented in everyday language. Bent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dented is less common and typically used to describe damage to a surface or object.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dented and bent?
Both dented and bent are relatively informal words, but dented may be slightly more informal due to its association with damage or destruction.