damage

Harm that makes something less healthy, useful, valuable, or complete.

• The storm caused serious damage.
• There was little damage to the car.
• Can we repair the damage to the roof?

How to use it: damage to something (The fire caused damage to several buildings.)

Similar words: harm, injury

Common phrases: cause damage, serious damage, damage to something

Money a court orders someone to pay for harm they caused.

• The court awarded her damages.
• He sued the company for damages after the accident.
• They agreed to pay damages to the injured driver.

How to use it: damages for something (She claimed damages for the loss of her belongings.); pay damages to someone (The company paid damages to its former employee.)

Similar words: compensation

Common phrases: damage award, damage claim

The amount of money you must pay for something.

• What’s the damage for lunch?
• The damage came to eighty pounds.
• After the repairs, he asked, “What’s the damage?”

Similar words: cost, bill

Common phrases: what’s the damage, total damage

To harm something so that it becomes less healthy, useful, or valuable.

• The water damaged my phone.
• Smoking can damage your health.
• Did the storm damage the roof?

Similar words: harm, hurt, impair

Opposites: repair

Common phrases: damage something, damage health, damage a reputation, damage property

To remove broken or unsellable goods from shop stock and record them for further handling.

• Please damage these broken mugs.
• The assistant damaged the returned items before closing.
• Have you damaged the spoiled stock yet?

Similar words: write off

Common phrases: damage returned items, damage something out