- [uncountable] physical harm caused to something which makes it less attractive, useful or valuable
- serious/severe damage
- The building suffered extensive damage by fire in 1925.
- permanent/irreparable/irreversible damage
- The accident caused no permanent damage.
- She suffered minor brain damage at birth.
- liver/nerve/kidney damage
- flood/storm/smoke/water/fire damage
- damage to something The earthquake caused damage to property estimated at $6 billion.
- The storm didn't do much damage.
- Industry could inflict further damage on the island's ecology.
- It could take years to repair the damage.
- Make sure you insure your camera against loss or damage.
Extra Examples- There is growing awareness of the environmental damage caused by cars.
- All three compounds caused substantial DNA damage.
- He was prosecuted for criminal damage to a vehicle.
- In war, there is always collateral damage.
- At the moment it is difficult to assess the extent of the damage.
- Let's take a look at the damage.
- I insist on paying for the damage.
- Crops are sprayed with chemicals to prevent damage from insects.
- The attempt at stopping the floods turned into a damage-limitation exercise.
- The insurance policy covers the building for accidental damage.
- The power plant will cause untold damage to the local environment.
- The property damage is expected to exceed $10 billion.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- cause
- do
- inflict
- …
- occur
- result
- assessment
- report
- control
- …
- damage by
- damage from
- damage to
- …
- the cost of the damage
- the damage is done
- the extent of the damage
- …
- [uncountable] harmful effects on somebody/something
- The children suffered psychological and emotional damage.
- irreparable/permanent/lasting damage
- damage to somebody/something This could cause serious damage to the country's economy.
- It will be hard to repair the damage to his reputation.
- Don't you think you've done enough damage already?
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb2- Don't try to apologize—the damage is done.
- Serious damage control was needed after the information was leaked to the papers.
- The incident did permanent damage to relations between the two countries.
- They inflicted severe psychological damage on their opponents.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- cause
- do
- inflict
- …
- occur
- result
- assessment
- report
- control
- …
- damage by
- damage from
- damage to
- …
- the cost of the damage
- the damage is done
- the extent of the damage
- …
- damages[plural] an amount of money that a court decides should be paid to somebody by the person, company, etc. that has caused them harm or injury
- He was ordered to pay damages totalling £30 000.
- They intend to sue for damages.
- Ann was awarded £6 000 (in) damages.
- She was awarded damages of £6 000 .
Extra ExamplesTopics Crime and punishmentc1- A woman is to bring a civil damages claim against the two men.
- He received damages for personal injury.
- If goods are lost in transit, the carrier will be liable for damages.
- The court will assess the damages.
- The judge upheld her claim for damages against her former employer.
- damages incurred by the unfairly sacked workers
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- civil
- substantial
- punitive
- …
- incur
- suffer
- claim
- …
- action
- claim
- award
- …
- in damage
- damage for
- damage of
- …
- an action for damages
- a claim for damages
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from dam, damne ‘loss or damage’, from Latin damnum ‘loss or hurt’; compare with damn.
Idioms
See damage in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee damage in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishwhat’s the damage?
- (informal) a way of asking how much something costs
Check pronunciation:
damage