darned

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darned

He wore a darned pair of socks to school.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Used as an intensifier, often expressing annoyance, surprise, or emphasis: "darned" is a mild, informal expletive used to strengthen the meaning of a noun or adjective, typically replacing stronger swear words.
Usage
  • Function: It is used attributively (before a noun) or predictively (after a linking verb like 'is') to add strong emphasis, often with a tone of frustration, admiration, or simple intensification.
  • Tone: It is considered a euphemistic or softened substitute for words like "damned." Its use makes the expression less offensive while maintaining emphatic force.
Examples
  • Attributive use (before a noun): (Emphasizes frustration about the keys.) (Emphasizes the high quality of his skill.)
  • Predictive use: (Emphasizes the slowness.) (Expresses great surprise.)
Advanced Usage
  • "I'll be darned": A common exclamation of surprise or disbelief.
  • "darned well": Used for strong emphasis before a verb.
Variants and Related Words
  • Darn (verb/adjective/interjection): The base form. As a verb: to mend fabric. As an adjective/interjection: a milder variant of "darned."
  • Darnedest (adjective, informal): Used in the phrase "the darnedest thing" to mean "the most surprising or remarkable thing."
Synonyms
  • Blasted: Informal intensifier.
  • Confounded: Informal intensifier, often showing annoyance.
  • Dang (adjective/interjection): An even milder variant of "darned."
Related Phrases
  • "Hot darn": An exclamation of excitement or pleasant surprise.
darned

He wore a darned pair of socks to school.

Adjective
  1. expletives used informally as intensifiers
    • he's a blasted idiot
    • it's a blamed shame
    • a blame cold winter
    • not a blessed dime
    • I'll be damned (or blessed or darned or goddamned) if I'll do any such thing
    • he's a damn (or goddam or goddamned) fool
    • a deuced idiot
    • an infernal nuisance