noun
dint
dihnt
Dint (noun) means Force or effort, especially in the phrase "by dint of.". Example: “She passed the exam by dint of sheer hard work.”
noun
1
Force or effort, especially in the phrase "by dint of."
"She passed the exam by dint of sheer hard work."
2
A dent or mark left by a blow.
"There was a small dint in the car door from the hailstorm."
How to use dint
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly survives today in the phrase "by dint of," meaning "by means of" or "through."
Common mistake
Rarely used outside "by dint of" in modern English — using it as a plain synonym for "dent" will sound archaic.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
by dint of hard work
by dint of persistence
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Word forms
- Plural
- dints
- Third person singular
- dints
- Past tense
- dinted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She passed the exam by _____ of sheer hard work.
Etymology
From Old English dynt, meaning a blow or strike, related to the same Germanic root as "dent."
Rhymes for dint
See all rhymes for dint →Frequently asked questions
What does “dint” mean?
The word “dint” means force or effort, especially in the phrase "by dint of.". In plain terms, mostly survives today in the phrase "by dint of," meaning "by means of" or "through.".
How do you pronounce “dint”?
“Dint” is pronounced dihnt (/dɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dint” in a sentence?
Here is “dint” used in a sentence: “She passed the exam by dint of sheer hard work.”
What part of speech is “dint”?
“Dint” is a noun.
Where does the word “dint” come from?
The word “dint” comes from Old English. From Old English dynt, meaning a blow or strike, related to the same Germanic root as "dent.".
How many meanings does “dint” have?
“Dint” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: force or effort, especially in the phrase "by dint of.".
