Advertisement

Advertisement

tarnation

[ tahr-ney-shuhn ]

interjection

  1. Tarnation! Burned the fatback again.



noun

  1. damnation; hell (used as a euphemism):

    Where in tarnation is that boy?

adverb

  1. What's making you so tarnation miserable?

tarnation

/ tɑːˈneɪʃən /

noun

  1. a euphemism for damnation


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarnation1

First recorded in 1775–85; blend of ’tarnal, dialectal pronunciation of eternal, and darnation ( def ) (“hell”); damnation ( def )

Discover More

Example Sentences

Who in 'tarnation let a gal like that go out in a boat alone, and without airy oar?

I've got corns on them ere feet of mine that'd make a preacher swear, and them butes pinch like all tarnation.'

It'll take some tarnation good work to find out the truth about her, but I guess I c'n do it all right.

He's ben through life and death, er tarnation nigh akin to it.

I can sail my lugger easy enough, but I should get into a tarnation mess if I tried to con your big ship.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


tarnalTarne