blamed
Blamed (adj) means a mild, old-fashioned swear-word substitute meaning "damned," used to express annoyance. Example: “He couldn't find his blamed keys anywhere.”
How to use blamed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, polite way of saying "damned" or "annoying," used to vent mild frustration without swearing.
Dated and folksy — mostly heard in older American speech or for comic, exaggerated effect today.
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He couldn't find his _____ keys anywhere.
Etymology
A euphemistic softening of "damned," using the word "blame" instead of the stronger curse.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for blamed
See all rhymes for blamed →Frequently asked questions
What does “blamed” mean?
The word “blamed” means a mild, old-fashioned swear-word substitute meaning "damned," used to express annoyance. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, polite way of saying "damned" or "annoying," used to vent mild frustration without swearing.
How do you pronounce “blamed”?
“Blamed” is pronounced blaymd (/bleɪmd/ in IPA).
How do you use “blamed” in a sentence?
Here is “blamed” used in a sentence: “He couldn't find his blamed keys anywhere.”
What part of speech is “blamed”?
“Blamed” is an adjective.
Is “blamed” a common word?
“Blamed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "blamed" as a swear-word substitute and "blamed" as the past tense of "blame"?
As an adjective, "blamed" is a mild, old-fashioned substitute for "damned," used to express annoyance, as in "that blamed dog." As a verb, "blamed" is simply the past tense of "blame," meaning held someone responsible for a fault.
Is "blamed" meaning "damned" formal or informal?
This use of "blamed" is informal, old-fashioned, and deliberately mild. It was once a polite way to avoid saying "damned" and now sounds dated or folksy, appearing mostly in casual or humorous speech.
What other words work like "blamed" as a mild substitute for swearing?
"Blamed" belongs to a family of mild, old-fashioned oaths that soften stronger words, alongside "blasted," "confounded," "darned," and "dratted." Each expresses irritation without resorting to a stronger swear word.