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Definition of tarnation

tarnation

/tɑːrˈneɪʃən/
tar · na · tion
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tarnation Lexical Profile

tarnation Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American Damnation or hell, used as a mild, humorous euphemism in exclamatory or interrogative phrases such as 'what in tarnation'.

Example

"What in tarnation is going on out in the barn at this hour of the night?"

Synonyms
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• interjection

1

American An exclamation used to express anger, surprise, or frustration.

Example

"Tarnation! I left my keys locked inside the truck again."

Synonyms
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• Rhymes for tarnation

• Nearby Words

tarija river
tarim
tarmac
tarnation
tarnish
tarnishable
taro

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in late 18th-century New England dialect as a euphemistic blend of 'darnation' (an alteration of 'damnation') and 'tarnal' (a dialectal shortening of 'eternal').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tarnation. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tarnation
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