Damn Meaning

UK /dæm/
US /dæm/
Word Definition
damn meaning

Damn Definition & Usage

interjection

'Damn' is used as an exclamation expressing frustration, anger, annoyance, or emphasis.

Examples

  • "Damn, I forgot my keys again!"
  • "She lost the race by a fraction of a second, damn it!"
  • "Damn, this is the third time I’ve spilled coffee today!"
  • "He slammed his fist on the desk and muttered, 'Damn this project.'"
  • "Damn, I can't believe I missed that opportunity."
verb

'Damn' can also mean to express strong disapproval or condemnation of a person, action, or situation.

Examples

  • "The critics damned the film for its lack of originality."
  • "They damned the decision to increase taxes, calling it unjust."
  • "I can’t believe they would damn someone for a minor mistake."
  • "He was damned for his dishonesty in the investigation."
  • "The company was damned for its environmental negligence."
adjective

'Damn' can be used to intensify the negative quality of a subject, often before nouns or in the phrase 'damned.'

Examples

  • "He’s a damn good basketball player."
  • "That was a damn fine meal we had last night."
  • "She’s always the damn one who has to clean up after everyone."
  • "It’s a damn shame that they had to cancel the event."
  • "Don’t be such a damn fool!"

Cultural Context

'Damn' has roots in the Latin word 'damnare', meaning 'to condemn or judge.' Over centuries, its usage evolved from a religious and legal term to a more casual expletive in everyday language. Historically, it was considered a swear word with strong moral implications, particularly in Christian contexts where 'damnation' referred to the eternal punishment of sinners. Today, while still seen as vulgar in formal or polite settings, it is commonly used in informal conversations, media, and entertainment.

The Damn Decision

Story

The Damn Decision

Tom sat in his office, staring at the report in front of him. His fingers drummed the desk, a sure sign of his frustration. Damn, he thought, how did things go so wrong? The meeting had started off with hope, but now, it felt like a disaster. His team was counting on him to make a decision, but every option seemed flawed. As his eyes moved over the figures, he muttered under his breath, 'Damn, I can't believe this.' Suddenly, his colleague Sarah burst in, her face flushed. 'Tom, they just damned the new marketing strategy. It’s over.' Tom slammed his fist on the desk. 'Damn it! We worked too hard for this.' He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of responsibility. The decision to go ahead with the strategy had been his, and now, everything was unraveling. His mind raced, but the frustration was too much to bear. 'This is a damn shame,' he said aloud, knowing they had no time left to salvage the project. As Sarah left, he glanced at the report again, wondering if there was any way to fix it. But deep down, he knew the damage was done. 'Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.' he sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. It was a damn good thing his team still had faith in him... but could they survive this disaster?

The Damn Decision