darn
1 Americanadjective
verb (used with object)
idioms
verb (used with or without object)
noun
verb
noun
-
a patch of darned work on a garment
-
the process or act of darning
interjection
Related Words
See mend.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of darn1
First recorded in 1775–85; see origin at darned
Origin of darn2
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin unknown
Explanation
To darn is to stitch up a small hole in a piece of clothing. Instead of throwing your worn-out socks away, you can just darn the holes in their toes. When you darn your socks or sweaters, you use a needle and thread to close small holes in the woven fabric. There's even a specific stitch known as a "darning stitch," in which you first weave the thread with the grain of the fabric, and then fill in the other "woven" direction. The result is a sturdy patch made only of thread. Darn comes from the Middle French darner, "mend."
Vocabulary lists containing darn
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
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When My Name Was Keoko
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"Resistance" by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Part Three
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Unless you think there is a real slowdown in tech investment, the backdrop is pretty darn good.”
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
In terms of why she caught the world’s attention and ended up selling so darn many books and becoming such an icon, I think number one, of course, is her talent.
From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026
And I’d say that currying the favor of 84% is still pretty darn good.
From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026
“Uber knows darn well what they’ve done,” said Nicholas Rowley, among those leading the opposition.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2026
I am done writing this darn acrostic poem.
From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
