doomed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Literary, journalistic, general spoken (often dramatic/emphatic)
Quick answer
What does “doomed” mean?
Certain to fail, suffer death, or experience an unpleasant outcome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Certain to fail, suffer death, or experience an unpleasant outcome; destined to a terrible fate.
Fated to an inevitable and often negative end; also used to describe a feeling of inescapable failure or destruction, sometimes with a sense of tragic inevitability or divine judgment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slight preference in British English for literary/dramatic contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of inevitable failure or destruction.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties; perhaps slightly more common in UK media/political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “doomed” in a Sentence
be doomed to + noun (failure, extinction, death)be doomed to + infinitive (to fail, to die)be doomed + adverb (from the outset, from birth)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “doomed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ancient prophecy doomed the kingdom to centuries of conflict.
- Poor planning doomed the expedition from the outset.
American English
- A single error doomed the team's chance at the championship.
- The scandal doomed his political career.
adverb
British English
- He walked doomed-ly towards his fate. (Very rare, poetic)
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describing a failing project or company: 'The merger was doomed from the beginning.'
Academic
Historical or literary analysis: 'The hero's tragic flaw made him doomed.'
Everyday
Expressing pessimism about plans: 'Our picnic is doomed with this weather.'
Technical
Rare; used in ecology (doomed species) or project management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “doomed”
- Using 'doomed' for minor setbacks (too strong).
- Confusing 'doomed' with 'doomed to be' (redundant).
- Incorrect: 'He was doomed to be fail.' Correct: 'He was doomed to fail.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically yes, it carries a strong, often dramatic weight. However, it can be used humorously or hyperbolically in informal contexts (e.g., 'I'm doomed if I'm late again!').
Absolutely. Plans, projects, relationships, buildings, species, and even inanimate objects (like a 'doomed spacecraft') can be described as doomed.
'Destined' is neutral (can be for good or bad outcomes). 'Doomed' is exclusively negative and implies an unavoidable, terrible fate.
Both are correct. 'Doomed to failure' (noun) and 'Doomed to fail' (base form of verb) are equally common.
Certain to fail, suffer death, or experience an unpleasant outcome.
Doomed is usually literary, journalistic, general spoken (often dramatic/emphatic) in register.
Doomed: in British English it is pronounced /duːmd/, and in American English it is pronounced /duːmd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a doomed enterprise”
- “doomed from the outset”
- “doomed if you do, doomed if you don't”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'doom' (terrible fate) + 'ed' (past participle). A room that is 'doomed' is sealed for destruction.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A DESTINATION / BAD FATE IS A PATH ONE IS FORCED TO WALK.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'doomed' INCORRECTLY?