goddamn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
FrequentInformal, Vulgar, Taboo
Quick answer
What does “goddamn” mean?
An intensive adjective, adverb, or noun used to express anger, frustration, or emphasis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An intensive adjective, adverb, or noun used to express anger, frustration, or emphasis; literally invoking a divine curse.
Can function as a versatile intensifier for negative qualities (e.g., goddamn fool), or express admiration/emphasis (e.g., a goddamn genius). As an interjection, expresses strong annoyance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK usage tends towards the two-word 'God damn' more often, while the compounded 'goddamn' is strongly associated with US usage. The adjectival use ('this goddamn car') is common in both.
Connotations
In the UK, it is considered a milder swear, often in the middle of the offensiveness scale. In the US, its offensiveness is heightened due to stronger religious sensitivities in some communities.
Frequency
Generally more frequent in American English, particularly in film, literature, and colloquial speech.
Grammar
How to Use “goddamn” in a Sentence
INTENSIFIER + NOUN (goddamn [N])INTENSIFIER + ADJECTIVE (goddamn [ADJ])STANDALONE INTERJECTION (Goddamn!)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “goddamn” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I heard him goddamn the broken printer in the office.
American English
- She would goddamn anyone who got in her way.
adverb
British English
- He's goddamn brilliant at chess, you know.
American English
- You are goddamn right about that.
adjective
British English
- I can't find my goddamn keys anywhere.
American English
- This goddamn traffic is making me late.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate; would be considered extremely unprofessional.
Academic
Completely unacceptable in written or spoken discourse.
Everyday
Common among friends in informal, relaxed settings where swearing is tolerated.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “goddamn”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Misspelling as 'goddomn' or 'goddam'.
- Overusing as a filler word, diminishing its impact.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, by many religious people, as it literally invokes God to condemn something or someone. This is the primary source of its offensiveness.
'Damn' alone is a milder curse. Adding 'God' explicitly makes it blasphemous and therefore stronger and more offensive to many.
Yes, it can be used as an intensifier for positive adjectives or nouns for strong emphasis, e.g., 'a goddamn masterpiece.' However, the tone remains very informal and forceful.
When written as two words ('God damn'), 'God' is typically capitalized. In the compounded form 'goddamn', the capital 'G' is often but not always retained. Dictionaries list it with a lowercase 'g', reflecting common usage.
An intensive adjective, adverb, or noun used to express anger, frustration, or emphasis.
Goddamn is usually informal, vulgar, taboo in register.
Goddamn: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒdˌdæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːdˌdæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not a goddamn thing (nothing at all)”
- “Do your goddamnedest (try your hardest)”
- “Goddamn it (expression of frustration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a frustrated person shaking their fist at the sky saying, 'God, damn this problem!' which gets contracted into one angry word.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS/ANNOYANCES ARE DIVINE CURSES.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'goddamn' LEAST appropriate?