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goddamn

C2
adjectiveadverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ɡˈɒdæm/

US

  • /ˈɡɑdˌdæm/

Description

"Goddamn" is a strong, vulgar word used to show anger, frustration, surprise, or strong emphasis. It started as religious language, asking God to condemn someone or something, but in modern English it is usually not meant literally. People often use it as an exclamation ("Goddamn, I forgot my keys!"), before a noun ("Goddamn traffic!"), or as an intensifier ("This is goddamn hard"). It is stronger than "damn" and can sound harsh or offensive.

You will often hear it in moments of stress, in arguments, or in movies and fiction where speakers sound rough, angry, or intense. Even though many people use it casually, it can still offend others, especially in religious, formal, or professional settings, so the audience matters.

Examples

  1. 1

    Angry complaint

    This goddamn printer jams every morning.

    • Caution

      Strong and rude; often used before a noun when someone is angry.

  2. 2

    Exhaustion

    I'm so goddamn tired after this week.

  3. 3

    Delay frustration

    Why is this meeting taking so goddamn long?

  4. 4

    Repeated annoyance

    He checks his phone every goddamn minute.

    • Pattern

      every goddamn + noun

      used to show strong annoyance about repetition

  5. 5

    Positive emphasis

    That was a goddamn good meal.

    • Usage

      Can also add strong emphasis to something positive.

  6. 6

    Angry reaction

    Goddamn, I left my wallet at home.

    • Usage

      Used alone at the start as an angry reaction.

  7. 7

    Frustration phrase

    Goddamn it, I sent the message to the wrong group.

    • Phrase

      goddamn it

      a strong expression of frustration when something goes wrong

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • goddamnadjectiveadverb