WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
dam•age /ˈdæmɪdʒ/USA pronunciation
n., v., -aged, -ag•ing.
n.
v. [ ~ + obj]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026n.
- injury, harm, or destruction that reduces value, usefulness, etc.; harmful effect:[uncountable]The earthquake caused great damage to the city.
- Law damages, [plural] the money estimated to be equal to the loss or injury sustained:to pay $10,000 in damages.
v. [ ~ + obj]
- to cause harm, injury, or destruction to;
have a harmful effect on:The fire damaged our house.
dam•age
(dam′ij),USA pronunciation n., v., -aged, -ag•ing.
n.
v.t.
v.i.
dam′age•a•ble, adj.
dam′age•a•ble•ness, dam′age•a•bil′i•ty, n.
dam′ag•er, n.
n.
- injury or harm that reduces value or usefulness:The storm did considerable damage to the crops.
- Law damages, the estimated money equivalent for detriment or injury sustained.
- Often, damages. [Informal.]cost;
expense;
charge:What are the damages for the lubrication job on my car?
v.t.
- to cause damage to;
injure or harm;
reduce the value or usefulness of:He damaged the saw on a nail.
v.i.
- to become damaged:Soft wood damages easily.
- Latin damnum damage, fine) + -age -age; see damn
- Old French, equivalent. to dam (
- Middle English 1250–1300
dam′age•a•ble•ness, dam′age•a•bil′i•ty, n.
dam′ag•er, n.
- 1. loss. Damage, detriment, harm, mischief refer to injuries of various kinds. Damage is the kind of injury or the effect of injury that directly impairs appearance, value, usefulness, soundness, etc.:Fire causes damage to property.Detriment is a falling off from an original condition as the result of damage, depreciation, devaluation, etc.:Overeating is a detriment to health.Harm may denote either physical hurt or mental, moral, or spiritual injury:bodily harm; harm to one's self-confidence.Mischief may be damage, harm, trouble, or misfortune caused by a person, esp. if maliciously:an enemy who would do one mischief. 4. impair, hurt.