damn

1 of 3

verb

damned; damning ˈda-miŋ How to pronounce damn (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to condemn to a punishment or fate
especially : to condemn to hell
2
a
: to condemn vigorously and often irascibly for some real or fancied fault or defect
damned the storm for their delay
b
: to condemn as a failure by public criticism
3
: to bring ruin on
4
: to swear at : curse
often used to express annoyance, disgust, or surprise
damn him, he should have been careful
I'll be damned

damn

2 of 3

noun

1
: the utterance of the word damn as a curse
2
: a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration) : the least bit
don't give a damn

damn

3 of 3

adjective or adverb

: damned
a damn nuisance
ran damn fast
Phrases
damn well
: beyond doubt or question : certainly
knew damn well what would happen

Examples of damn in a Sentence

Verb But it is functional talk for the purpose of conveying information, not, as often in the case of Waugh, for entertaining his audience, humdrum veracity be damned. Robert Murray Davis, Commonweal, 5 June 2009
Congress demanded an immediate investigation and over the next year held dramatic hearings, launched a variety of inquests, and produced several pounds of reports that condemned FEMA. One report damned the agency as a dumping ground for political appointees … Christopher Cooper & Robert Block, Disaster, 2006
No American war has been more roundly damned than the Mexican. Within months after its outbreak Whigs and abolitionists accused Polk of plotting the ambush on the Rio Grande and misrepresenting the facts in order to stampede the nation into a war of conquest … Walter A. McDougall, Promised Land, Crusader State, 1997
He damned them for their stupidity. damned the car for once again breaking down Noun I don't want to hear about your problems—I just don't give a damn. Adjective or adverb told her she'd never get married because she was too damn picky that dilapidated house is a damn eyesore and should be torn down
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Many take a different view, believing Joel’s actions to be entirely selfish and quite possibly damning the entire human race. Erik Kain, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 William has barely finished damning everyone in his immediate vicinity when the British soldiers who’ve been chasing Jamie enter the house. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
Shortly thereafter, Facebook changed its name to Meta and sank $45 billion into its vision of a digital universe that most people just don’t seem to give much of a damn about. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 25 Sep. 2024 But the rate at which people are ditching cable suggests that carriage fees won’t be worth a tinker’s damn by the time the looming batch of NBA deals expires. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 July 2024
Adjective or adverb
The contestant has not won a puzzle and was battling cancer and Ryan can't give him a damn clue. Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 Just the same damn jingles and dings as Bally’s though. Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for damn 

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective or adverb

Middle English dampnen, from Anglo-French dampner, from Latin damnare, from damnum damage, loss, fine

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective Or Adverb

circa 1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damn was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near damn

Cite this Entry

“Damn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damn. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

damn

1 of 2 verb
1
: to condemn to a punishment or fate
especially : to condemn to hell
2
: to condemn as bad or as a failure
3
: to swear at : curse

damn

2 of 2 noun
1
: the saying of the word damn as a curse
2
: the least bit
not worth a damn
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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