darn
3 synonyms for darn, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To mend a hole or worn patch in fabric by weaving thread back and forth across it.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
stitch up
How to use darn
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
darn a sock
darn it
well, darn
Etymology
The mending sense comes from Middle English/Old French roots for weaving; the exclamation is simply a softened, "minced" form of damn.
Full origin of darn →Frequently asked questions
What does “darn” mean?
The word “darn” means to mend a hole or worn patch in fabric by weaving thread back and forth across it. In plain terms, either to repair a hole with stitching, or a polite way of saying "damn" when something goes wrong.
How do you pronounce “darn”?
“Darn” is pronounced dahn (/dɑɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “darn” in a sentence?
Here is “darn” used in a sentence: “My grandmother taught me how to darn socks instead of throwing them away.”
What part of speech is “darn”?
Depending on how it is used, “darn” can be a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “darn” come from?
The word “darn” comes from Old French. The mending sense comes from Middle English/Old French roots for weaving; the exclamation is simply a softened, "minced" form of damn.
Is “darn” a common word?
“Darn” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “darn” have?
“Darn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to mend a hole or worn patch in fabric by weaving thread back and forth across it.
What is the difference between "darn" and "damn"?
"Darn" is a mild exclamation of annoyance used as a softened substitute for "damn," so it expresses the same frustration in a more polite, family-friendly way. It is generally considered acceptable in situations where "damn" might be seen as impolite or offensive.
What does it mean to "darn" a sock?
To "darn" a sock means to mend a hole or worn patch in the fabric by weaving thread back and forth across the gap. This is a traditional hand-sewing repair technique, most often applied to socks and other knitted items.
Is "darn" only used as an exclamation, or does it have other uses?
"Darn" has two distinct uses: as a verb meaning to mend fabric by weaving thread across a hole, and as a mild interjection expressing annoyance. These two meanings are unrelated in origin but share the same spelling.
