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

“We’ve accomplished a lot in four years, but there’s much more to be done.”

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists do things they’ve already done, and do them over and over again, changing one tiny variable at a time.

From Slate

Trade in services, such as banking, has done better than expected, however.

From BBC

She said: "I just froze and I said 'Finlay what do you think you are doing?' as soon as I saw the gun. Three or four steps and he had done it."

From BBC

The court heard paramedics who arrived on the scene told Mrs MacKinnon nothing could be done to save her husband.

From BBC