maim
C1Formal, Literary, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To injure someone severely, especially causing permanent damage or loss of function to a body part.
To damage or impair something severely, making it less effective or functional; to cripple or mutilate.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies serious, often permanent physical injury, typically involving loss of a limb or vital function. Stronger than 'injure' and often implies deliberate action. Can be used metaphorically for non-physical damage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of violence, brutality, and permanent damage in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written contexts (news, literature) than everyday speech in both regions. Not a high-frequency word.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] maims [Object][Subject] is maimed by [Agent][Subject] maims [Object] for lifeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “maim and main (archaic, meaning 'injure and kill')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The new regulations could maim small businesses.'
Academic
Used in historical, medical, or legal texts discussing violence, war crimes, or trauma.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Used for serious reports of accidents or attacks.
Technical
Used in medical, military, and legal contexts to describe specific types of grievous bodily harm.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The explosion was designed to maim, not kill.
- He was tragically maimed in a factory accident.
- Landmines continue to maim innocent civilians decades after wars end.
American English
- The assailant attempted to maim his victim with a knife.
- The accident maimed her for life.
- Such weapons are banned for their capacity to maim indiscriminately.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. Use 'in a maiming way' or similar paraphrase.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. Use 'so as to maim' or similar paraphrase.
adjective
British English
- The maimed soldier received a pension.
- Maimed wildlife is a sad consequence of pollution.
- Care for the maimed and wounded was a priority.
American English
- The maimed veteran adapted to his new life.
- Maimed prisoners were left behind.
- She dedicated her life to helping maimed animals.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bomb killed two people and maimed five others.
- He was maimed in a car crash.
- The new law aims to ban weapons that are likely to maim innocent bystanders.
- Many soldiers were permanently maimed during the conflict.
- The scandal did more than damage his career; it utterly maimed his public reputation.
- The treaty specifically prohibits the use of munitions designed to maim rather than kill outright.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MAIM' as 'MAke IMpaired' – to make someone permanently impaired.
Conceptual Metaphor
DAMAGE IS MAIMING (e.g., 'The scandal maimed his reputation.'); OPPOSITION IS MAIMING (e.g., 'The law maims our freedom.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'main' (главный).
- Closer to 'калечить', 'увечить' than to the more general 'ранить' (to wound).
- Implies a result, not just the action – the injury is severe and lasting.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'maim' for minor injuries (incorrect: *He maimed his finger with a paper cut).
- Confusing spelling with 'main'.
- Using it intransitively (incorrect: *He maimed in the accident; correct: He was maimed in the accident).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of the word 'maim' being used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for animals and, metaphorically, for abstract things like reputations, economies, or systems (e.g., 'The corruption maimed the institution's credibility').
'Maim' is much stronger. It implies a severe, often permanent injury that causes loss of a body part or its function. 'Injure' is a general term for any harm.
Rarely. The noun form is 'maiming' (the act) or the adjective 'maimed' is used for the person/thing affected. The word 'maim' itself is almost exclusively a verb.
No, it's a contradiction. 'Maim' inherently means severe injury. Use 'lightly injured' or 'slightly wounded' instead.