What does hammered mean?
Hammered is the regular past tense and past participle of hammer and is also used as an adjective. Its basic meaning is struck repeatedly with a hammer: a blacksmith might hammer heated metal into shape, or a carpenter might hammer nails into wood. The word can consequently describe an object made or altered by repeated blows. In informal usage, hammered has additional figurative senses, including being beaten or defeated decisively and, especially in British English, being very drunk. This range of meanings makes it more expressive than a simple synonym such as struck, since it evokes forceful repetition and, figuratively, intensity. Although hammered is often used as an adjective describing a result, such as a hammered surface, it remains the regular inflected form of the verb hammer. Its clear physical meaning and familiar informal associations make it useful in descriptions of both practical activity and vivid figurative language.
Struck repeatedly with a hammer, or shaped something by repeated blows. Figuratively and informally, it can mean to defeat severely, criticize forcefully, or drink heavily.
"The workers hammered the sheet metal until it fitted the frame."
This is the regular past tense and past participle of hammer. Figurative uses are informal and vary in prominence by region.
Struck, shaped, or hardened with a hammer. Informally, it can mean very drunk, and it can also describe a severe defeat or intensive activity.
"The gallery displayed a hammered copper vessel."
The sense meaning “very drunk” is chiefly informal British usage. The adjective is also common in participial phrases describing the result of repeated blows.
The word can swing from a nail to the pub: in informal British English, hammered also means very drunk.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hammered come from?
Hammered is formed from the regular past-tense and participial ending -ed attached to hammer. Hammer comes from Old English hamor and ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root represented in cognates such as Old Norse hamarr, meaning “stone” or “crag,” and German Hammer, meaning “hammer.” The English verb developed into the forms hammer, hammers, hammering, and hammered as its grammatical forms became established.
How hammered is actually used
The participial adjective is standard and often suggests the marks or result of repeated blows. The meaning “very drunk” is informal and especially associated with British English; in American English it may sound dated or depend heavily on context. The same form can also have an informal figurative sense meaning severely beaten, defeated, or criticized.
Easily confused with hammered
Hammered means struck or shaped with a hammer, whereas hampered means prevented from moving, acting, or progressing.