done

[ duhn ]

verb

1. past participle of do ¹.
2. Nonstandard. a simple past tense of do ¹.

auxiliary verb

1. Nonstandard: South Midland and Southern U.S. (used with a principal verb in the past or, sometimes, present tense to indicate completed action):

   I done told you so. He done eat his lunch.

adjective

1. completed; finished; through:

   Our work is done.

2. cooked sufficiently.
3. worn out; exhausted; used up.
4. in conformity with fashion, good taste, or propriety; acceptable:

   It isn't done.

done

/ dʌn /

verb

1. the past participle of do 1
2. be done with or have done with
   to end relations with
3. have done
   to be completely finished

   have you done?

4. that's done it
   1. an exclamation of frustration when something is ruined
   2. an exclamation when something is completed

interjection

1. an expression of agreement, as on the settlement of a bargain between two parties

adjective

1. completed; finished
2. cooked enough

   done to a turn

3. used up

   they had to surrender when the ammunition was done

4. socially proper or acceptable

   that isn't done in higher circles

5. informal.
   cheated; tricked
6. done for informal.
   1. dead or almost dead
   2. in serious difficulty
7. done in or done up informal.
   physically exhausted

Usage Note

In the adjectival sense “completed, finished, through,” done dates from the 14th century and is entirely standard: Is your portrait done yet?

Other Words From

• half-done adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of done¹

First recorded before 900, for the adjective

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be / have done with, to break off relations or connections with; stop.
2. done for, Informal.
   1. tired; exhausted.
   2. deprived of one's means, position, etc.
   3. dead or close to death.
3. done in, Informal. very tired; exhausted:

   He was really done in after a close race.

More idioms and phrases containing done

• easier said than done
• good as done
• have done (with)
• no sooner said (than done)
• not done
• over and done with
• seen one, seen them all (been there, done that)
• what's done is done
• when all's said and done
• do

Example Sentences

He’s since turned his life around and works as a bus driver in Lancaster now, but says much more could be done to stop other prison staff dealing inside.

From BBC

But sometimes, the promotion of those practical effects belies the work done by special effects teams.

From Los Angeles Times

With embers flying everywhere and hitting the house, “I knew it was done.”

From Los Angeles Times

This autumn marks an inflection point for Olympic organizers as they transition from planning to the nuts-and-bolts of getting things done.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the educational matters missing still include how to understand lies, insults and dehumanization, why that is done, how it affects the brain and what to do about it.

From Salon