Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

darn

verb (1)
\ˈdärn \

Definition of darn 

(Entry 1 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to mend with interlacing stitches

2 : to embroider by filling in with long running or interlacing stitches

intransitive verb

: to do darning

darn

noun (1)

Definition of darn (Entry 2 of 5)

: a place that has been darned a sweater full of darns

darn

adjective or adverb
\ˈdärn \
variants: or less commonly \ˈdərn \

Definition of darn (Entry 3 of 5)

: damned

darn

verb (2)
variants: or less commonly durn

Definition of darn (Entry 4 of 5)

: damn

darn

noun (2)
variants: or less commonly durn

Definition of darn (Entry 5 of 5)

: damn

Other Words from darn Synonyms Learn More about darn

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from darn

Verb (1)

darner noun

Verb (2)

darned \ˈdärn(d) \ or less commonly durned \ˈdərn(d) \ adjective or adverb

Synonyms for darn

Synonyms: Adjective or adverb

accursed (or accurst), blasted, confounded, cotton-picking, cursed (also curst), cussed, damnable, dang, danged, darned (also durned), doggone (or doggoned), infernal

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

First Known Use of darn

Verb (1)

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1720, in the meaning defined above

Adjective or adverb

1781, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1781, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1840, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for darn

Verb (1)

perhaps from French dialect darner

Adjective or adverb

euphemism

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about darn

Dictionary Entries near darn

Darlingtonia

Darmstadt

darmstadtium

darn

Darnah

darnation

darndest

Phrases Related to darn

I'll be darned

darn near

darn well

give a darn

not worth a darn

Statistics for darn

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for darn

The first known use of darn was circa 1600

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for darn

darn

verb
\ˈdärn \
darned; darning

Kids Definition of darn

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: to mend by sewing

darn

interjection

Kids Definition of darn (Entry 2 of 3)

—used to express anger or annoyance

darn

adjective
variants: or darned \ˈdärnd \

Kids Definition of darn (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : very bad That darned dog!

2 —used to make a statement more forceful a darn good meal

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on darn

See words that rhyme with darn

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for darn

Spanish Central: Translation of darn

Nglish: Translation of darn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of darn for Arabic Speakers

Comments on darn

What made you want to look up darn? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

rebuff

to reject or criticize sharply

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. rogue Trump speculates on Saudi journalist's fate

  2. nepotism Trump muses about Ivanka UN appointment

  3. cloture McConnell motions for Kavanaugh vote

  4. quorum Kavanaugh advances to Senate floor

  5. sequela Ford testifies in front of Senate

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games