# darn

/ˈdɑɹn/ (US) · /dˈɑːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/darn
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to repair clothing

verb · CEFR B2

to fix a hole in a piece of clothing, like a sock, by weaving thread across it with a needle.

For teachers: to repair a hole in fabric by weaving yarn or thread across the gap using a needle.

- My grandmother taught me how to darn my old wool socks instead of throwing them away.
- Before the era of fast fashion, it was common practice for households to darn elbows and heels to extend the life of expensive garments.

Usage: Transitive; takes a direct object representing the garment or the hole itself.

### 2. to curse politely

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

a polite way to say 'damn' when you want to express anger or frustration.

For teachers: to use as a mild, euphemistic substitute for the profanity 'damn' to express annoyance.

- I'll be darned if I'm going to let him win this argument.
- He darned the luck that had led him to miss the final train of the evening.

Teaching tip: This is a 'minced oath' used to avoid sounding vulgar; it is common in older generations or conservative settings.

### 3. a repaired patch

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the specific place on a piece of clothing that has been fixed by weaving thread.

For teachers: a patch in a garment created by the process of darning.

- You can hardly see the darn on this sweater because the thread matches perfectly.
- The conservator examined the ancient tapestry, noting several historical darns where the original silk had frayed.

### 4. annoying or emphatic

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to show you are annoyed by something, or to emphasize how much you like or dislike it.

For teachers: a euphemistic adjective used for emphasis or to express mild irritation.

- I can't find my darn keys anywhere in this house.
- That was a darn good performance for someone who has never been on stage before.

### 5. very

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to mean 'very' when you want to emphasize an adjective.

For teachers: a euphemistic intensifier equivalent to 'damned' or 'very'.

- It is darn cold outside today, so make sure you wear a heavy coat.
- The new software is darn difficult to navigate without a proper tutorial.

## Examples

- I need to darn these socks because they have holes in the toes.
- She spent the evening sitting by the fire to darn the elbows of her favorite wool sweater.
- In an era of fast fashion, the skill required to neatly darn a damaged garment is becoming increasingly rare among younger generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.