interjection

damn

DAM

interjection

Used to express anger, frustration, or surprise.

"Damn, I forgot my keys again."

"Damn! That was close."

adverb

Used to intensify a statement, similar to "very" or "extremely."

"That's a damn good idea."

verb

To condemn or criticize harshly.

"Critics damned the film for its weak script."

How to Use Damn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mild swear word used for emphasis, frustration, or to condemn something strongly.

When to use it

Considered a mild profanity — common in casual speech but best avoided in formal writing.

Common pairings

damn good damn it not worth a damn

Word Forms

damned past tense, damn plural, damned plural, damns plural, damns singular, damn singular, damned singular, damnest singular, damnedst singular, damneth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

_____, I forgot my keys again.

Etymology

From Old French damner, from Latin damnare ("to condemn, to inflict loss upon").

Rhymes for damn

goddamn

See all rhymes for damn →