darn Hear it!

darn¹ Definition

darn (därn)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to mend (cloth) or repair (a hole or tear in cloth) by sewing a network of stitches across the gap

Etymology: < MFr dial. darner, to piece together, mend < Bret darn, a piece < IE base *der-, to pull off, split apart > tear

noun

a darned place in fabric

darn¹ Related Forms

darner noun

darn² Definition

darn (därn)

transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, adjective, adverb,

Informal damn (the curse)

darn² Related Forms

darned adjective, adverb

darn Synonyms

darn

v.

  1. *Variant of damn

    curse, confound*, drat*, swear at; see curse 2.

  2. To repair

    mend, sew, patch; see mend 1, repair. See syn. study at mend.

darn Usage Examples

Object

  • sock: For ever after it was my job to darn the socks and stockings.
  • wool: The knitter had bought card after card of darning wool to make her cardigan.
  • mushroom: Monday Was Washing Day: dolly blue, donkey stone, darning mushroom!

Converse of object

give: Costello: I said I don't give a darn!

Modifies a noun

  • sarf: Not long now, sail out 6am on the 7th from Dover - heading darn sarf on the 6th.
  • sight: Many places have live music, which is a darn sight better than the music you get in the curry houses.
  • thing: You have to hold the darn thing in your hands the entire time!
  • close: Maybe not 100 % ' comprehensive ' as the title implies... but pretty darn close!
  • site: Thank you very much for your attention - darn site better service than you get from too many big companies!
  • read: Meet new friends and contacts -- and have a darn good read.

Modifying Another Word

  • pretty: Seems like a pretty darn simple concept to me.
  • too: Faith Hill was just too darn pretty to stay pure country.
  • so: Actually, their whole TV family is so darn cute w / all those cute little blond kids!
  • well: The job got too big because the business which he started along with former professional gambler Andrew Black has done so darned well.
  • hard: But it will be darned hard to recommend him to others.
  • just: And guitars like the Swede were just darned good.

Noun used with modifier

nylon: Prospective randomized trial of polypropylene mesh compared with nylon darn in inguinal hernia repair.

Adjective complement

  • good: Speaking about AI, I'd say it was darned good.
  • difficult: Remember, as you well know, it's only too easy to put on - but darned difficult to get off!
  • expensive: Wow, paying your crew is pretty darned expensive.