durn

Definition

1. Verb:

   • To curse or damn: "durn" is a mild, euphemistic verb used to express irritation or anger, similar to "damn" but less offensive. It is often used in informal or old-fashioned speech.

2. Interjection:

   • An expression of annoyance: "durn" can be used as a mild exclamation to show frustration, surprise, or displeasure.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • I durn the day I ever agreed to this plan. (I curse the day I agreed to this plan, expressing regret or anger.)

• Interjection:

  • Durn! I forgot my keys again. (An expression of annoyance at forgetting keys.)

Advanced Usage

• "durn it": a fixed phrase used as a mild oath or exclamation.

  • Durn it, the car won't start! (A mild expression of frustration about the car not starting.)

• "durn fool": an adjective phrase meaning extremely foolish or stupid.

  • He made a durn fool mistake by trusting that stranger. (He made a very foolish mistake.)

Variants and Related Words

• Durned (adj): damned; used as a mild intensifier.

  • That durned cat keeps scratching the furniture. (That annoying cat keeps scratching.)

• Durnation (n): a euphemistic form of "damnation," used as a mild curse.

  • Oh, durnation! I spilled coffee on my shirt. (A mild expression of annoyance.)

Synonyms

• Damn: to condemn or curse (stronger in tone).
• Blast: an exclamation of annoyance (e.g., ).
• Drat: a mild expression of irritation (e.g., ).

Phrasal Verbs

• Durn out: to result in a bad outcome (rare, informal).
  • Everything just durned out wrong today. (Everything turned out badly.)

Related Idioms

• Not give a durn: to not care at all.

  • He doesn't give a durn what others think. (He is completely indifferent to others' opinions.)

• Durn to heck: a mild way of saying "damn to hell."

  • That old car can go durn to heck for all I care. (I don't care about that old car at all.)