[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/damn/)

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# damn

verb (damn, damns, damned, damning); interjection (damn — rude); adjective and adverb (damn, damned — rude); noun (a damn — in «not give a damn»)

«damn» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (rude, mild swearing) Said when you are angry, annoyed or disappointed: «Damn! I missed the bus.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#m1)
2. (rude) Used to make a word stronger: «a damn good idea», «damn it». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#m2)
3. (rude) «Not give a damn»: not care at all. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#m3)
4. (religion) To say someone will be punished for ever after death. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#m4)
5. (formal) To criticise strongly («the report damned the plan»); adjective «damning» = showing guilt clearly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#m5)

### In the lessons

Mild swearing heard in films, books and from grown-ups when cross; pupils should recognise it but not use it at school. In stories it shows anger or frustration. In formal news, «damning evidence» strongly shows someone did wrong. Phrases: «damn it», «damn!», «damn right», «not give a damn», «damning evidence».

### Examples

- (rude) «Damn! I've dropped my keys,» said Dad. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#x1)
- (rude) «That was a damn good match!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#x2)
- (rude) «Damn it, the car won't start.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#x3)
- (rude) «He doesn't give a damn about the rules.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#x4)
- The report damned the company's safety record. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#x5)
- The video was damning evidence against the thief. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/#x6)

### Note

Mild swearing — not for school, homework or polite talk; softer replacements: «darn», «dang» (US), «drat» (UK). Silent «n»: pronounced «dam». Homophone: «dam» (a wall holding back water) — very different meaning! Past: damned.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «damn» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/damn/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«damn» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/damn.html) on Mova free.