Meaning & use
dadgum
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nouninformalAmericandialect
Used to express annoyance, emphasis, or surprise, as a mild substitute for stronger swear words.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: 'that dadgum dog.' Not used after a verb.
Patterns
- dadgum + noun
That dadgum car won't start again.
I can't get this dadgum lid off.
He's always losing his dadgum keys.
adverbinformalAmericandialect
Used to emphasize a statement, especially when expressing frustration or surprise.
Grammar: Used like an intensifier adverb, often before an adjective or verb: 'dadgum sure.'
Patterns
- dadgum + adjective
- dadgum + verb
You're dadgum right I'm angry.
She dadgum well knew the answer.
Common combinations
- dadgum thing
- This dadgum thing never works properly.
- dadgum right
- You're dadgum right I'm going to complain.
- dadgum well
- He dadgum well should have told us.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: dadgum or doggon?
dadgum vs doggon
Similar in meaning and register, but 'doggon' (or 'doggone') is a different euphemistic alteration and does not share the same origin.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'dadgum' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Dadgum' is an adjective or adverb used before a noun or to intensify, as in 'that dadgum noise.' The other options use it as a verb or noun, which is not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dadgum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.