What is damage? Pronunciation and usage in English

damage means . Learn how to pronounce and use damage through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of damage

damagenoun/verb

/ˈdamɪdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of damage

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "damage" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • DAH-muj

Let's break that down further:

  • DAH: This is a short, sharp "ah" sound, like in the word "father." It's a bit more emphasized than a typical "ah."
  • muj: This rhymes with "but" or "cut." The "j" is a soft "j" sound, almost like the "j" in "judge."

Here's a breakdown with audio examples:

Common Mistakes & Why They're Wrong:

  • "Dahm-age": This is the most common mistake. The "a" in "damage" is not the same as the "a" in "age."
  • "Day-mage": Incorrect vowel sound.

Tips for Getting It Right:

  1. Isolate the sounds: Practice saying "dah" and "muj" separately, then blend them together.
  2. Focus on the short "ah" sound: Don’t over-emphasize the "a."
  3. Think of "damage" as "dah-muj": Mentally breaking it down helps.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "damage"?

Usage and examples with the word damage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "damage" in English. It's a versatile word with multiple meanings, so understanding its nuances is key. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Damage (Most Common)

  • Definition: To harm or injure something physically.
  • Examples:
    • "The storm damaged the roof of the house." (The roof was harmed.)
    • "He damaged his car in the accident." (The car was physically harmed.)
    • "The earthquake caused extensive damage to the city." (A lot of physical harm occurred.)
    • "Be careful not to damage the equipment." (Don't hurt it physically.)

2. Damage as a Verb (To Cause Harm)

  • Definition: To inflict harm or injury.
  • Examples:
    • "The acid damaged the paper." (The acid made the paper ruined.)
    • "Smoking damages your lungs." (Smoking causes harm to your lungs.)
    • "Poor diet can damage your health." (A bad diet harms your health.)

3. Damage as a Noun (The Result of Harm)

  • Definition: The harm or injury that has been done. It's the effect of the damage.
  • Examples:
    • "The damage to the car was extensive." (The extent of the harm)
    • "He suffered damage to his reputation." (The harm to his reputation)
    • "The report detailed the environmental damage caused by the spill." (The harm to the environment)

4. Figurative Damage (Emotional/Mental/Reputational)

  • Definition: To harm someone’s feelings, mental state, or reputation. This is a very common use.
  • Examples:
    • "His words damaged her confidence." (Her feelings were harmed.)
    • "The scandal damaged his career." (His reputation was harmed.)
    • "Constant criticism can damage relationships." (Relationships are harmed.)
    • "The rumours did damage to his standing with the community." (His reputation was harmed.)

Key Phrases & Related Words:

  • Cause damage: “The fire caused considerable damage.”
  • Inflict damage: "He inflicted damage on her feelings." (More formal)
  • Result in damage: "The negligence resulted in damage to the property."
  • Extent of the damage: “We need to assess the extent of the damage.”
  • Minor damage: “There was only minor damage to the wall."
  • Major damage: “The storm caused major damage.”
  • Repair damage: “They are working to repair the damage.”

Important Notes:

  • "Damage" vs. "Harm": While often used interchangeably, “damage” typically refers to physical harm or injury. “Harm” is broader and can refer to any kind of negative impact – emotional, physical, etc.
  • "Injury" vs. "Damage": “Injury” is often used for physical harm to a person. “Damage” is more commonly used for harm to objects.
  • Prepositions: "Damage" often appears with prepositions like "to" (e.g., "damage to a building") or "of" (e.g., "damage of the system").

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., talking about a car accident, writing a report, describing a feeling, etc.)

Synonyms for the word damage

Idioms of the word damage

what’s the damage?
(informal)a way of asking how much something costs

    Practice with vocabulary damage

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The recent cyberattack caused considerable ______ to the company's data infrastructure, leading to a system-wide shutdown.
    2. Due to the unexpected market downturn, the startup reported a significant financial ______ in the last quarter.
    3. Improper handling of hazardous waste can result in irreversible ______ to the environment and public health.
    4. Despite initial setbacks, the team managed to ______ the project deadline by accelerating their efforts in the final week.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following words can describe the negative impact on a reputation due to a scandal? a) enhance b) improve c) compromise d) damage

    2. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can severely ______ the delicate fabric of antique furniture. a) fortify b) restore c) impair d) mend

    3. The unexpected power surge caused significant ______ to the sensitive laboratory equipment. a) improvement b) destruction c) enhancement d) damage

    4. Which terms indicate a reduction in value, quality, or functionality? a) depreciation b) appreciation c) degradation d) damage

    5. The new software update aims to ______ system performance rather than introduce vulnerabilities. a) degrade b) optimize c) destabilize d) corrupt

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The severe flooding resulted in extensive destruction of agricultural land. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "damage".

    2. His reckless actions brought about a significant decline in trust among his colleagues. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "damage".

    3. The company faced a considerable financial setback after the investment failed. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, not using "damage" or any of its forms.

    Answer Key

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The recent cyberattack caused considerable damage to the company's data infrastructure, leading to a system-wide shutdown.
    2. Due to the unexpected market downturn, the startup reported a significant financial loss in the last quarter.
    3. Improper handling of hazardous waste can result in irreversible damage to the environment and public health.
    4. Despite initial setbacks, the team managed to meet the project deadline by accelerating their efforts in the final week.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. c) compromise, d) damage
    2. c) impair
    3. b) destruction, d) damage
    4. a) depreciation, c) degradation, d) damage
    5. b) optimize

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The severe flooding resulted in extensive damage to agricultural land.
    2. His reckless actions severely damaged trust among his colleagues.
    3. The company faced a considerable financial loss after the investment failed.

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