darn
Darn (verb) means to mend a hole or worn patch in fabric by weaving thread back and forth across it. Example: “My grandmother taught me how to darn socks instead of throwing them away.”
How to use darn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither to repair a hole with stitching, or a polite way of saying "damn" when something goes wrong.
Don't confuse the sewing verb with the mild swear — context makes it obvious, but they are unrelated in meaning despite being spelled the same.
Word forms
darned past tense, darned past tense, darns plural, darns plural, darns singular, darns singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My grandmother taught me how to _____ socks instead of throwing them away.
Etymology
The mending sense comes from Middle English/Old French roots for weaving; the exclamation is simply a softened, "minced" form of damn.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for darn
See all rhymes for 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.