Etymology Map
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Damage

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means physical harm impairing value or function

Where does the word "damage" come from? It comes from Latin damnum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
damnum
Latin · ancient
"loss, hurt"
the root of 'damn' and 'condemn'
2
Stage 2 of 3
damage
Old French · medieval
"harm, loss"
the suffix -age made a noun of it
3
Stage 3 of 3
damage
English · 1300s
"harm"
'damages' as legal compensation dates from the 1400s
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Read the full story

Damage’s story begins in Latin: damnum meant “loss, hurt.” The root of 'damn' and 'condemn'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as damage. The suffix -age made a noun of it. It reached English by 1300s as damage. 'damages' as legal compensation dates from the 1400s. Today, damage means physical harm impairing value or function.