WordGarden.iogoddamn
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡˈɒdæm/
US
- /ˈɡɑdˌdæm/
Meanings
Adjective
used before a noun as a profane expression of anger or emphasis
Adverb
used as a profane intensifier meaning very or extremely
Interjection
used as a profane cry of anger, frustration, or surprise
Beyond the definition
"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.
"Goddamn" is a strong and loaded word with a long history. It began as a literal religious curse, a call for God to condemn a person or thing. Over time, though, it shifted away from that exact meaning and became a common swear word used to show strong feeling.
Today, people often say it when they are angry, annoyed, shocked, or deeply frustrated. You might hear "Goddamn it!" after someone drops something, misses a train, or makes a bad mistake. It can also come before another word for emphasis, as in "this goddamn machine" or "the goddamn weather," where it adds irritation, contempt, or emotional force.
The word can work in several ways. It can stand alone as an exclamation, appear inside a phrase like "Goddamn it," or act as an intensifier before or around another word. In stories, films, and everyday speech, it often helps show that a speaker is under pressure or speaking in a rough, emotional way. In some contexts, it can even show admiration through intensity, but that tone depends heavily on delivery.
Even now, it still has a religious edge for some listeners, and many people consider it offensive or blasphemous. Because of that, it is usually avoided in formal writing, professional settings, classrooms, and polite conversation unless the speaker intentionally wants a harsh tone or a very informal voice.
So the word carries two stories at once: an older one tied to religion and condemnation, and a modern one tied to strong emotion and emphasis. Most of the time in current English, people use it for emotional force rather than its original literal meaning, but its offensive strength has not disappeared.
Examples
- 1
Angry complaint
This goddamn printer jams every morning.
- Caution
Strong and rude; often used before a noun when someone is angry.
- 2
Exhaustion
I'm so goddamn tired after this week.
- 3
Delay frustration
Why is this meeting taking so goddamn long?
- 4
Repeated annoyance
He checks his phone every goddamn minute.
- Patternevery goddamn + noun
used to show strong annoyance about repetition
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Positive emphasis
That was a goddamn good meal.
- Usage
Can also add strong emphasis to something positive.
- 6
Angry reaction
Goddamn, I left my wallet at home.
- Usage
Used alone at the start as an angry reaction.
- 7
Frustration phrase
Goddamn it, I sent the message to the wrong group.
- Phrasegoddamn it
a strong expression of frustration when something goes wrong
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- goddamnadjectiveadverb