damage
DA-mihj
Damage (noun) means Harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something. Example: “The flood left the old library with a great deal of water damage.”
noun
1
Harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something.
"The flood left the old library with a great deal of water damage."
"The storm caused serious damage to the roof."
"Doctors said the damage to his knee would take months to heal."
verb
1
To harm or reduce the value or condition of something.
"Careless handling can damage the screen of your phone."
"Strong sunlight will damage the paint if you leave the furniture outside."
"The scandal badly damaged her reputation."
How to use damage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHarm done to something, or the act of causing that harm.
Common pairings
cause damage
suffer damage
damage control
extensive damage
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Word forms
- Plural
- damages
- Third person singular
- damages
- Past tense
- damaged
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Can you complete this real example?
The flood left the old library with a great deal of water _____.
Etymology
From Old French damage, tracing back to Latin damnum ("loss" or "harm") — the same root behind "condemn" and "damn."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for damage
See all rhymes for damage →Frequently asked questions
What does “damage” mean?
The word “damage” means harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something. In plain terms, harm done to something, or the act of causing that harm.
How do you pronounce “damage”?
“Damage” is pronounced DA-mihj (/ˈdæmɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “damage” in a sentence?
Here is “damage” used in a sentence: “The storm caused serious damage to the roof.”
What part of speech is “damage”?
Depending on how it is used, “damage” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “damage” come from?
The word “damage” comes from Latin. From Old French damage, tracing back to Latin damnum ("loss" or "harm") — the same root behind "condemn" and "damn.".
Is “damage” a common word?
“Damage” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “damage” have?
“Damage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: harm or injury that reduces the value, soundness, or usefulness of something.
What is the difference between damage and damages?
Damage (uncountable) is the harm itself — "the storm caused serious damage." Damages (plural) is a legal term meaning the money awarded in court to compensate for that harm — "she was awarded damages." So you assess the damage to something, but you claim or receive damages as payment.
What is the difference between damage and harm?
The words overlap heavily. Damage usually refers to physical harm that reduces something's value or function — a dented car, a cracked screen. Harm is broader, covering injury to people, health, feelings, or reputation as well as objects. You can harm a person; you typically damage a thing.
What are the types of damage?
Damage is classified in many ways: physical damage to objects or buildings, bodily or personal injury, and property damage. Other common types include water, fire, structural, and cosmetic damage, plus figurative kinds such as reputational or emotional damage. The shared idea is a loss of value, soundness, or usefulness.
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