tarnation

American  

[tahr-nay-shuhn] / tɑrˈneɪ ʃən /

interjection

1. damnation.

   Tarnation! Burned the fatback again.

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noun

1. damnation; hell (used as a euphemism).

   Where in tarnation is that boy?

adverb

1. damned.

   What's making you so tarnation miserable?

tarnation British  

/ tɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a euphemism for damnation

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Etymology

Origin of tarnation

First recorded in 1775–85; blend of ’tarnal, dialectal pronunciation of eternal, and darnation ( def. ) (“hell”); see damnation ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tarnation

Right now you’re all probably asking yourselves the same question: Who in tarnation is Adam Gelb, and what’s he doin’ in my Surge?

From Slate ● Jul. 26, 2025

“We need tolerance,” he was quoted as saying, “but good tarnation, there’s such a thing as taking it too far.”

From Washington Post ● Jun. 21, 2022

Column: What in tarnation is going on with Southern California sheriffs and coronavirus?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2021

What in tarnation is the Writer’s Guild of America West?

From Slate ● Apr. 16, 2019

Jesse said, uneasily, “Who in tarnation do you think you—” But Tuck interrupted.

From "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbit

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