darn

¹

[ dahrn ]

adjective

1. darned.

verb (used with object)

1. to curse; damn:

   Darn that pesky fly!

darn

²

[ dahrn ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to mend (torn clothing, especially of knitted fabric) with rows of stitches, sometimes by crossing and interweaving rows to span a gap:

   At the sound of my greeting, Grandma looked up and stopped darning the sock, holding her arms out for a hug.

noun

1. a darned place, as in a garment:

   That old sweater full of darns was one of my favorite things to put on after work.

darn

¹

/ dɑːn /

verb

1. to mend (a hole or a garment) with a series of crossing or interwoven stitches

noun

1. a patch of darned work on a garment
2. the process or act of darning

darn

²

/ dɑːn /

interjection

1. See damn
   a euphemistic word for damn damn damn damn damn

Derived Forms

• ˈdarning, noun
• ˈdarner, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of darn¹

First recorded in 1775–85; darned

Origin of darn²

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of darn¹

C16: probably from French (Channel Islands dialect) darner; compare Welsh, Breton darn piece

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. give a darn. damn ( def 14 ).

Synonym Study

See mend.

Example Sentences

“They came out of this having shown that they could respond to a crisis, and still do pretty darn well,” Lashinsky says, “which is pretty good for the brand of the NBA.”

From Fortune

You would want to have enough clinical efficacy data by the time of an EUA to be pretty darn certain.

From ProPublica

You can buy off-brand winches pretty darn cheap, and this may be the best option if you’re rarely going to use it.

From Popular-Science

We had to re-create that from absolute scratch…I had it worn and patched and darned.

From Fortune

I thought, if I ever did my job like this as an entrepreneur and a businessperson, I would be fired pretty darn quickly.

From Fortune

But, darn it, here was a game of courage, passion, and skill.

From The Daily Beast

If elected, his first goal for immigration would be to “build that darn fence.”

From The Daily Beast

Given that their mating sessions can last up to 70 hours, their bedroom—well, cave—performances seem pretty darn impressive.

From The Daily Beast

That myth is part of what makes March Madness so much darn fun.

From The Daily Beast

Sadly, sometimes even the “good” guys can be pretty darn deceptive, shallow, and arrogant.

From The Daily Beast

Well, he wouldn't sell the furniture—he'd just move it into another house, and give her a darn good scare.

From Project Gutenberg

Ruth could not darn the rent in her dress with this continual motion, and she looked up to remonstrate.

From Project Gutenberg

"I don't want any darn coffee," he growled, and sprawled himself stomach down on the bed, with his face turned from the light.

From Project Gutenberg

Such minute attention must be given the wardrobe to preserve it that I have learned to darn like an artist.

From Project Gutenberg

You can swear in churches, if folks are fools enough to let you, but darn me if you play double face here.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dang
• doggone