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.

---

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

---

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

When he returned to the U.S. after eight years abroad, he remarked, “Europeans are 20 years behind the times, but working damned hard three days a week to catch up.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

But when rallying the fanbase for causes, “You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t,” Mike said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Many of our children’s favorite apps and social-media sites were built from the ground up to keep young users hooked and helpless to look away, consequences to their health and well-being be damned.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

“In some ways, practices might be facing a Hobson’s choice, where they are damned if they do and they are damned if they don’t.”

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

I’ve staked every hope I have on these damned Trials.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Related Words

• darned
• lousy