What does "goddamn" mean?

1. (emphasizing anger) used to show you are very annoyed or angry about something. 2. (shout of anger) a rude word you shout when you are surprised, angry, or frustrated. 3. (the smallest amount) used in negative sentences to mean you do not care at all.

How do you use "goddamn"?

Always placed before the noun it modifies; it is non-gradable. Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'not give a goddamn'.

goddamn

adj. · interj. · n.

US //ˈɡɑdˌdæm// UK //ɡˈɒdæm// god·damn

1 emphasizing anger (adj.)
C1 Advanced Informal Vulgar

used to show you are very annoyed or angry about something.

used as an attributive intensifier to express irritation, contempt, or anger toward the noun it modifies.

Example

I can't find my goddamn keys anywhere and I'm already late.

Example

He spent the entire afternoon trying to fix that goddamn leaky faucet, only to realize he didn't have the right tools for the job.

Usage

Always placed before the noun it modifies; it is non-gradable.
2 shout of anger (interj.)
C1 Advanced Informal Vulgar

a rude word you shout when you are surprised, angry, or frustrated.

an expletive used to vent sudden emotion, typically frustration or shock.

Example

Goddamn, that hurt my toe.

Example

Goddamn, I never expected the project to fail so spectacularly after all the overtime we put in.

Teacher's tip

This is considered offensive by many religious people; learners should use it with extreme caution in social settings.
- damn
- hell

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3 the smallest amount (n.)
C2 Proficiency Informal Vulgar

used in negative sentences to mean you do not care at all.

used in the negative to indicate a total lack of concern or value.

Example

I don't give a goddamn what they think of my new haircut.

Example

The CEO made it clear that he didn't give a goddamn about the staff's complaints as long as the quarterly profits remained high.

Usage

Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'not give a goddamn'.

Origin

From God + damn; originally, and sometimes still, a present subjunctive expression of a wish that God smite someone for their wickedness; compare also antonymous God bless, God bless you, and God love (someone or something).