damn

American  

[dam] / dæm /

verb (used with object)

1. to declare (something) to be bad, unfit, invalid, or illegal.

2. to condemn as a failure.

   to damn a play.

   Synonyms:

   blast, disparage, denounce, censure, berate

3. to bring condemnation upon; ruin.

4. to doom to eternal punishment or condemn to hell.

5. to swear at or curse, using the word “damn”.

   Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!

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verb (used without object)

1. to use the word “damn”; swear.

interjection

1. (used as an expletive to express anger, annoyance, disgust, etc.)

noun

1. the utterance of “damn” in swearing or for emphasis.

2. something of negligible value.

   not worth a damn.

adjective

1. damned.

adverb

1. damned.

idioms

1. give a damn, to care; be concerned; consider as important: Also give a darn.

   You shouldn't give a damn about their opinions.

2. damn with faint praise, to praise so moderately as, in effect, to condemn.

   The critic damned the opera with faint praise when he termed the production adequate.

3. damn well, damned.

damn British  

/ dæm /

interjection

1. slang an exclamation of annoyance (often in exclamatory phrases such as damn it! damn you! etc)

2. informal an exclamation of surprise or pleasure (esp in the exclamatory phrase damn me! )

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adjective

1. slang (prenominal) deserving damnation; detestable

adverb

1. slang (intensifier)

   damn fool

   a damn good pianist

adverb

1. slang absolutely nothing

verb

1. to condemn as bad, worthless, etc

2. to curse

3. to condemn to eternal damnation

4. (often passive) to doom to ruin; cause to fail

   the venture was damned from the start

5. (also intr) to prove (someone) guilty

   damning evidence

6. to swear (at) using the word damn

7. informal as near as possible; very near

8. to praise so unenthusiastically that the effect is condemnation

noun

1. slang something of negligible value; jot (esp in the phrase not worth a damn )

2. informal to be unconcerned; not care

damn More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing damn

• do one's damnedest
• give a damn
• not worth a dime (tinker's damn)

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Other Word Forms

• damner noun
• predamn verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of damn

1250–1300; Middle English dam ( p ) nen < Old French dam ( p ) ner < Latin damnāre to condemn, derivative of damnum damage, fine, harm

Explanation

Damn is a common, somewhat naughty exclamation. In one sense it means to condemn or send someone to hell, as in "God damn it!" Other times it means "a little amount," as in "I don't give a damn about baseball." People can give a damn, damn others to hell, and complain about the damn weather. Some religious people believe their sins could damn them to an eternity of torment and hellfire. You should be careful when peppering your speech with damn, as it might offend some ears. But sometimes damn can be used positively, as in "They make the best damn pizza in town!"

Example Sentences

“Take $300, because we’re going to be coming back the same damn way.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

And going to one dinner at Epstein’s was just so damn efficient.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

“Hormuz is not quite a total ghost-town halt yet, but it’s damn near lights out,” said Raj.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

Nobody would ever give a damn about Cats in Hats or Green Eggs and Ham, and the world wouldn't have a golden goose - the madly magnificent Dr. Seuss.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

“I don’t know why. I’m just telling you what she said. This stuff is planned out like synchronized swimming or some damn thing. Are you ready to go, or do you need a minute?”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• curse
• darn