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done

adj. · v.
US //ˈdən// UK //dˈʌn// done
  1. 1 finished (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    finished or completed.

    having reached the end of a task or process; completed.

    Example

    I will go for a walk as soon as my homework is done.

    Example

    Once the final report is done, the committee will present its findings to the board of directors for a final vote.

    Usage

    Usually used after the verb 'to be'.
  2. 2 fully cooked (adj.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    cooked enough to be eaten.

    cooked to the required or desired degree.

    Example

    Check the chicken with a fork to see if it is done.

    Example

    The chef insisted that the steak was done, despite the customer's complaint that the centre remained slightly too rare for their preference.

    Usage

    Often used in the question 'Is it done yet?'.
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  1. 3 exhausted (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    too tired or annoyed to continue with something.

    physically exhausted or mentally depleted; often used to express a refusal to tolerate a situation further.

    Example

    I have been working for twelve hours and I am just done.

    Example

    After the third technical failure in an hour, the lead developer declared she was done and walked out of the server room.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the phrase 'I am done'.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern slang, 'I am so done' often implies being fed up with someone's behaviour rather than just being tired.
  2. 4 socially acceptable (adj.)
    C1 Advanced British English Formal

    socially acceptable or fashionable.

    conforming to social standards of behaviour or fashion.

    Example

    In some formal offices, wearing jeans is simply not the done thing.

    Example

    He quickly realised that questioning the host's political views was simply not done in such conservative social circles.

    Usage

    Usually used in the negative 'it is not done'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a somewhat old-fashioned or upper-class way to describe social etiquette.
  3. 5 past participle of do (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    the form of the verb 'do' used with 'have' or 'has'.

    the past participle of the irregular verb 'do'.

    Example

    She has done a lot of work to improve her English this year.

    Example

    The research team has done extensive field work to ensure the data reflects the actual conditions of the habitat.

    Usage

    Requires an auxiliary verb like 'have', 'has', or 'had' in standard English.
    Pitfall
    I have did my chores.
    I have done my chores.

    Use 'done' with the auxiliary verb 'have'; 'did' is the simple past and stands alone.

Etymology 1

From Middle English don, idon, ydon, ȝedon, gedon, from Old English dōn, ġedōn, from Proto-West Germanic dān, from Proto-Germanic dēnaz (past participle of *dōną (“to do”)). Equivalent to do + -en (past participle ending). Cognate with Scots dune, deen, dene, dane (“done”), Saterland Frisian däin (“done”), West Frisian dien (“done”), Dutch gedaan (“done”), German Low German daan (“done”), German getan (“done”). More at do.

Etymology 2

From Middle English don; equivalent to do + -en (plural simple present ending).

Word family

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