condemned to hell (as noun): the damned
(intensifier): a damned good try, a damned liar, I should damned well think so! used to indicate amazement, disavowal, or refusal (in such phrases as I'll be damned and damned if I care)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
damned /dæmd/USA pronunciation
adj., [superlative] damned•est, damnd•est /ˈdæmdɪst/USA pronunciation
adv.
adj.
adv.
n. [plural* used with a plural verb]
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- condemned or doomed, esp. to eternal punishment:damned souls.
- [before a noun] detestable;
awful:Get that damned dog out of here! - [before a noun] complete;
absolute:a damned nuisance.
adv.
- extremely;
very;
absolutely:a damned good singer; too damned lazy.
n. [plural* used with a plural verb]
- the damned, souls that have been condemned to hell or eternal punishment.
damn /dæm/USA pronunciation
v.
interj.
n. [count;
singular;
used with negative words or phrases, or in questions]
adj. [before a noun]
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [ ~ + obj]
- to condemn as a failure:The critics damned the new play.
- to ruin:damned by his gambling habit.
- Religionto condemn to eternal punishment or to hell;
doom.
interj.
- (used to express anger, annoyance, disgust, etc.):"Damn!'' he swore as he stumbled into the coffee table.
n. [count;
singular;
used with negative words or phrases, or in questions]
- something worthless or of little or no value:His promise is not worth a damn.
adj. [before a noun]
- damned (defs. 2, 3).:I think you're a damn fool.
adv.
- damned:You know damn well I wasn't there.
- Idioms damn with faint praise, to praise in such a way that the result is to condemn:The letter of recommendation said, "She does her work as well as can be expected,'' thus damning her with faint praise.
damned
(damd),USA pronunciation adj., [superl.] damned•est, damnd•est, n., adv.
adj.
n.
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- condemned or doomed, esp. to eternal punishment:the wailing of damned souls.
- detestable;
loathsome:Get that damned dog out of here! - complete;
absolute;
utter:a damned nuisance; a damned fool. - Informal Termsextraordinary;
amazing:It was the damnedest thing I'd ever seen.
n.
- the damned, those condemned to suffer eternal punishment.
adv.
- extremely;
very;
absolutely:a damned good singer; too damned lazy. - Idioms damned well, [Informal.]certainly or without doubt;
emphatically:You damned well better say you're sorry!Also, damn well.
- Middle English dam(p)ned. See damn, -ed2 1350–1400
damn
(dam),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
interj.
n.
adj.
adv.
damn′er, n.
- to declare (something) to be bad, unfit, invalid, or illegal.
- to condemn as a failure:to damn a play.
- to bring condemnation upon;
ruin. - Religionto doom to eternal punishment or condemn to hell.
- to swear at or curse, using the word "damn'':Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!
v.i.
- to use the word "damn'';
swear. - Idioms 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.
interj.
- (used as an expletive to express anger, annoyance, disgust, etc.)
n.
- the utterance of "damn'' in swearing or for emphasis.
- something of negligible value:not worth a damn.
- Idioms, Informal Terms give a damn, [Informal.]to care;
be concerned;
consider as important:You shouldn't give a damn about their opinions.Also, give a darn.
adj.
- damned (defs. 2, 3).
adv.
- damned.
- Informal Terms, Idioms damn well, See damned (def. 7).
- Latin damnāre to condemn, derivative of damnum damage, fine, harm
- Old French dam(p)ner
- Middle English dam(p)nen 1250–1300
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged berate, censure, denounce, disparage, blast.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
an exclamation of annoyance (often in exclamatory phrases such as damn it!, damn you!, etc) an exclamation of surprise or pleasure (esp in the exclamatory phrase damn me!)
- (prenominal)
deserving damnation; detestable
(intensifier): damn fool, a damn good pianist
- damn all ⇒
absolutely nothing
to condemn as bad, worthless, etc to curse to condemn to eternal damnation - (often passive)
to doom to ruin; cause to fail: the venture was damned from the start - (also intr)
to prove (someone) guilty: damning evidence - damn with faint praise ⇒
to praise so unenthusiastically that the effect is condemnation
something of negligible value; jot (esp in the phrase not worth a damn) - not give a damn ⇒
to be unconcerned; not care
'be damned' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):