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Glite Dictionary
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dern

dern

9.9
An old word used to show anger or strong dislike
  • adjective
  • /dɜrn/
  • Archaic
translation icon : maldito
  • I can't believe that dern car broke down again right before the trip.

Examples

  • This dern weather has ruined our picnic plans for the third time this month.

  • He was dern tired after working all week without a break.

  • Black and Decker can't make toast worth a Dern, but it can make a salmon.

Synonyms

damned
vsdern
  • NSFW
300 5.6

Said to make something sound very strong

is an older dialect word used for similar emphasis but now dated
darn
vsdern
  • Informal
62 6.7

A word people say when they feel annoyed or surprised

is the older dialectal way to express that mild exclamation
darned
vsdern
  • Informal
27 7.4

An informal word that makes a feeling stronger, for example very tired

is an older dialect version used for similar mild emphasis
darn it
vsdern
  • Informal
17 8.4

A short phrase people say when they feel frustrated or disappointed

is an old-fashioned or dialectal form used for similar frustration
danged
vsdern
  • Informal
5 8.6

Put before a word to show mild annoyance or strong feeling

is the old-fashioned term serving that same emphatic role
tarnal
vsdern
  • Archaic
9.9

Used before a noun to show strong annoyance

is the same emphasis but noted as an old-fashioned dialect word
goldarn
vsdern
  • Archaic
9.9

A mild angry word people use to show they are annoyed or to add emphasis

is similarly old-fashioned and dialectal in emphasis and use
goldamned
vsdern
  • NSFW
9.9

People say this to show annoyance or strong feeling

is the older dialectal way to express that same mild emphasis
durned
vsdern
  • Informal
9.9

A short word said to show surprise or mild anger

is the older dialect form carrying that same mild emphatic use
durn
vsdern
  • Informal
9.9

Feeling a little angry or annoyed about something

is an older dialectal form that conveys the same soft emphasis

How Emphatic

goddamn
  • Offensive
659 9.2
damn
  • NSFW
∞ 6.7
bloody
  • Offensive
638 7.5
dern
  • Archaic
9.9
darn
  • Informal
62 6.7

Surface Forms

dern positive

Etymology

Dern has an old dialect use as a strong word like darn or durn, which are softer forms of 'damn'. A helpful way to remember this is to think of dern as an old-fashioned 'darn' used to show anger or emphasis.