What does damndest mean?
'Damndest' is the superlative of 'damned', functioning chiefly as a noun in the idiomatic phrase 'to do (or try) one's damndest', which means to make the greatest possible effort at something. It can also serve informally as an adjective or adverb to describe something extreme or astonishing, as in 'the damndest thing I've ever heard'. The word is informal and mildly profane, carrying a colloquial, energetic tone that suits speech and casual writing more than formal contexts; the variant spelling 'damnedest' is equally common. Its roots lie in the verb 'damn', which traces back through Old French 'damner' to Latin 'damnare', meaning to condemn or inflict loss upon — the same root behind 'condemn', 'damnation', and 'indemnify'. Despite its profane pedigree, 'do one's damndest' has become a widely accepted, even affectionate way to express wholehearted determination, making it a vivid and useful piece of everyday English.
The utmost effort; used chiefly in the phrase 'do/try one's damndest'.
"We did our damndest to get there on time."
Always used with a possessive pronoun in this sense.
(Informal) Extreme or extraordinary; the superlative of 'damned'.
"It was the damndest coincidence I'd ever encountered."
'Do your damndest' is one of the few places English lets you swear on your résumé and still sound inspiring.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of damndest
'Damndest' is formed as the superlative of 'damn(ed)', an expletive whose ultimate source is the Latin 'damnare', meaning to condemn or judge adversely, via Old French 'damner'. It emerged in colloquial American and British English by the 19th century, most characteristically in the idiom 'do one's damndest'. Cognates sharing the Latin root include 'condemn', 'damnation', and 'indemnify'. The spelling 'damnedest', preserving the full past participle, is equally standard today.
Related word forms
How damndest is actually used
Informal and mildly profane; avoid in formal writing. The spelling 'damnedest' is an equally common variant.
Easily confused with damndest
'Damned' is a general curse word or means condemned, while 'damndest' is its superlative form used almost exclusively in expressions of maximal effort like 'do one's damndest'.