Word
goddamn
Phoneticsgod·damn, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɑdˌdæm/
UK/ɡˈɒdæm/
Definitions
01emphasizing anger
C1 · Advanced Informal · Vulgar
adj. used to show you are very annoyed or angry about something.
adj. used as an attributive intensifier to express irritation, contempt, or anger toward the noun it modifies.
“I can't find my goddamn keys anywhere and I'm already late.”
“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.
02shout of anger
C1 · Advanced Informal · Vulgar
interj. a rude word you shout when you are surprised, angry, or frustrated.
interj. an expletive used to vent sudden emotion, typically frustration or shock.
“Goddamn, that hurt my toe.”
“Goddamn, I never expected the project to fail so spectacularly after all the overtime we put in.”
Teaching tip
This is considered offensive by many religious people; learners should use it with extreme caution in social settings.
03the smallest amount
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · Vulgar
n. used in negative sentences to mean you do not care at all.
n. used in the negative to indicate a total lack of concern or value.
“I don't give a goddamn what they think of my new haircut.”
“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'.
Etymology
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).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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