First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1damage
noun dam·age \ˈda-mij\
: physical harm that is done to something or to someone's body
: emotional harm that is done to someone
: problems that are caused by a mistake, wrong action, etc. : bad or harmful effects on a situation, a person's reputation, etc.
Full Definition of DAMAGE
1
: loss or harm resulting from injury to person, property, or reputation
2
plural : compensation in money imposed by law for loss or injury
See damage defined for English-language learners
See damage defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of DAMAGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from dan damage, from Latin damnum
Related to DAMAGE
- Synonyms
- affliction, injury, detriment, harm, hurt
2damage
verb
: to physically harm (something)
: to cause problems in or for (something) : to have a bad effect on (a situation, a person's reputation, etc.)
dam·ageddam·ag·ing
Full Definition of DAMAGE
transitive verb
: to cause damage to <don't damage the furniture> <returning soldiers damaged by war>
— dam·age·abil·i·ty \ˌda-mi-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— dam·ag·er noun
See damage defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DAMAGE
14th century
Related to DAMAGE
Synonym Discussion of DAMAGE
injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success <badly injured in an accident>. harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss <careful not to harm the animals>. hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings <hurt by their callous remarks>. damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness <a table damaged in shipping>. impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution <years of smoking had impaired his health>. mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement <the text is marred by many typos>.
DAMAGES Defined for Kids
1damage
noun dam·age \ˈda-mij\
Definition of DAMAGE for Kids
1
: loss or harm caused by injury to a person's body or property <How much damage was done to the car?>
2
damages plural : money demanded or paid according to law for injury or damage <The jury awarded $50,000 in damages.>
2damage
verb
dam·ageddam·ag·ing
Definition of DAMAGE for Kids
: to cause harm or loss to
Learn More About DAMAGE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: damageablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: dama de nocheAll Words Near: damage
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up damage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).