Perhaps it's gal (Bengal).
dim > dimplingsam > sampling
Man (MAN-ager, manager)
Won (WON-derful, wonderful)
If the dashes each mean a letter, so you are missing 3 letters, try "conception."
Bob Ben
The prefix Ben in the names of Scottish mountains, such as Ben Nevis, means mountain.
3 letter word for old oldsmobile
Another 3 letter word for respect is awe.
A 3 letter word meaning pallid is wan.
A 3 letter word for AARP members is Boa.
pontoon
The 3 letter word for a group of kangaroos is mob.