Darn
/dɑːrn/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo repair (a hole or tear in cloth) by sewing with a needle and thread.
/dɑːrn/
To mend or repair (clothing or fabric), especially by sewing.
My grandmother always darned my socks when they got holes.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a hole in your favorite pair of socks. 'Darn' means to sew it up and fix it, so you can keep wearing them! It's like giving your clothes a little bandage.
👶 For kids: When a sock has a hole, you can darn it, which means fixing it with a needle and thread, like giving it a tiny hug and patch.
More Examples
She spent the afternoon darning the ripped jeans.
He expertly darned the tear in the tapestry.
How It's Used
"She darned the hole in her favorite sock."
"I learned to darn on a loom."
A mild expletive used to express annoyance, disappointment, or mild anger.
/dɑːrn/
Mild expression of annoyance, disappointment, or emphasis (euphemism for damn).
Darn it, the coffee machine is broken again!
💡 Simply: Imagine you stub your toe – you might say 'Oh, darn!' It's like saying 'oops!' or 'shoot!', but a little more grown-up. You say it when something goes wrong or when you're a little frustrated.
👶 For kids: When you're a little bit sad or annoyed, and you can't say a bad word, you can say 'Darn!'. It's like saying 'Oh no!', but a bit more grown-up.
More Examples
Oh, darn, I forgot to set the alarm.
Darn those noisy neighbors!
How It's Used
""Oh, darn! I missed the bus.""
"Darn it, I forgot my keys!"
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
darn near
Almost; very nearly.
"It was darn near impossible."
A euphemism for "damn", originating in the 18th century. It was used to soften the strong language and avoid blasphemy.
Used widely in the 18th and 19th centuries as a polite substitute for the word 'damn'. It provided an alternative way to express emotion without using profanity.
Memory tip
Think of 'darn' like 'repair' with a needle and thread.
Word Origin
"To condemn, curse (originally, as a euphemism)."