doggone

doggone

A man exclaims "doggone it!" as he drops his toolbox.

Definition

  1. Interjection:

    • Expression of annoyance or surprise: "doggone" is used as a mild exclamation to show frustration, irritation, or mild anger, often in a humorous or folksy manner.

  2. Adjective:

    • Damned or cursed: "doggone" functions as a euphemistic adjective meaning "damned" or "cursed," used to describe something undesirable or troublesome.

  3. Adverb:

    • Extremely or very: In informal usage, "doggone" can act as an adverb to intensify an adjective, meaning "very" or "extremely."

  4. Verb (rare):

    • To damn or curse: "doggone" can be used as a verb meaning to express mild condemnation or to wish ill upon something.
Usage Examples

  • Interjection:

    • Doggone! I forgot my keys again. (Expression of frustration at a minor mistake.)

  • Adjective:

    • That doggone car won't start. (Describing the car as cursed or troublesome.)

  • Adverb:

    • It's doggone hot outside today. (Meaning it is very hot.)

  • Verb (rare):

    • I doggoned that old computer for crashing. (I mildly cursed the computer.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Doggone it": A common phrase used as an interjection to express stronger annoyance.

    • Doggone it, I lost my wallet! (A more emphatic expression of frustration.)

  • "Doggone near": Used to mean "almost" or "nearly."

    • I doggone near fell asleep during the lecture. (I almost fell asleep.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Doggoned (adj/adv): An alternative form of "doggone."

    • That doggoned dog keeps barking. (That damned dog keeps barking.)
    • He was doggoned lucky to win. (He was very lucky to win.)

  • Doggone it (interjection): A fixed phrase.

    • Doggone it, the cake burned! (Expression of annoyance.)
Synonyms

  • Darn: a euphemistic mild curse.

    • Darn! I missed the bus. (Similar to "doggone.")

  • Drat: an exclamation of mild annoyance.

    • Drat, my pen ran out of ink. (Similar to "doggone.")

  • Cursed (adj): subjected to a curse.

    • That cursed machine broke down. (Similar to "doggone" as an adjective.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • None. "Doggone" does not commonly form phrasal verbs.
Related Idioms

  • "I'll be doggoned": An expression of surprise or amazement.

    • I'll be doggoned! I never expected to see you here. (I am very surprised.)

  • "Doggone if I know": A phrase meaning "I have no idea."

    • Doggone if I know where my glasses are. (I truly do not know.)