damned

American  

[damd] / dæmd /

adjective

superlative

damnedest, damndest

1. condemned or doomed, especially to eternal punishment.

   the wailing of damned souls.

2. detestable; loathsome.

   Get that damned dog out of here!

3. complete; absolute; utter.

   a damned nuisance; a damned fool.

4. Informal. extraordinary; amazing.

   It was the damnedest thing I'd ever seen.

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noun

1. the damned, those condemned to suffer eternal punishment.

adverb

1. extremely; very; absolutely.

   a damned good singer; too damned lazy.

idioms

1. damned well, certainly or without doubt; emphatically: Also damn well.

   You damned well better say you're sorry!

damned British  

/ dæmd /

adjective

1. 1. condemned to hell

   2. ( as noun )

      the damned

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   a damned good try

   a damned liar

   I should damned well think so!

2. used to indicate amazement, disavowal, or refusal (in such phrases as I'll be damned and damned if I care )

Etymology

Origin of damned

First recorded in 1350–1400, damned is from the Middle English word dam(p)ned. See damn, -ed ²

Example Sentences

If a young band can meet a grim moment like this, the Neighborhood Kids did their damnedest on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a comedy, yes, but not a satire: These are just five kids — sorry, adults — who are trying their damnedest, whether at the bank, with a hospital bill or even roasting a chicken.

From Los Angeles Times

He scored 29 points in the fourth quarter, a post-season record that still stands despite future Warriors like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant trying their damnedest to knock it down.

From Los Angeles Times

But really, Reijn is doing her damnedest to get a moral rise out of us.

From Los Angeles Times

Then again, as you noted, “The Eras Tour” is doing its damnedest to give movie theaters a badly needed shot of adrenaline.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• darned
• lousy