indent
indent Lexical Profile
indent Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A blank space left between the margin and the beginning of an indented line or paragraph of text.
"Please set a half-inch indent for the first line of every paragraph in your essay."
A hollow, notch, or deep recess in a surface or along an edge.
"The heavy sofa legs left a noticeable indent in the living room carpet."
British An official order or requisition for goods, supplies, or merchandise.
"The warehouse manager submitted an official indent for additional medical supplies."
• verb
To begin a line of text or position a block of print further from the margin than the main part of the text.
"Students are taught to indent the first line of each new paragraph when writing a formal composition."
To form a deep recess, notch, or hollow in a surface or coastline.
"Numerous narrow fjords and sheltered bays indent the rugged coastline of Norway."
British To place an official order or requisition for goods or stores.
"The department had to indent for replacement laboratory equipment before the end of the fiscal year."
• Rhymes for indent
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English indenten, borrowed from Old French endenter ('to notch or give a saw-like edge to'), from Medieval Latin indentare, derived from Latin in- ('into') and dens ('tooth'). Historically, legal contracts were written in duplicate on a single sheet and cut apart along a jagged, tooth-like line so the two halves could later be matched to verify authenticity.