noun

damages

/ˈdæmɪdʒɪz/ · say it: DAM·ij·iz

money awarded as compensation for loss or injury

In Law & Justice

In more detail

1. (noun) harm or injury caused to something, making it less valuable or functional

2. (noun) money that a court orders someone to pay as compensation for harm or loss they caused

Examples

1. The storm caused serious damages to the roof of the house.
2. The lawsuit resulted in the company paying damages to the victims.

How to use damages

Damages as a countable noun refers to monetary compensation awarded by courts for loss or injury. As an uncountable noun, it describes physical harm to property or things. The legal sense is formal and technical, while the physical sense is everyday. Damage (singular) is more common when referring to the general concept of harm.

Common phrases

suffer damages
cause damages
pay damages
claim damages
assess damages
water damage

Synonyms

harm · injury · destruction · impairment · compensation

Word family

damage (verb) · damaged (adjective) · damaging (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners often confuse damages (court compensation) with damage (the harm itself), or incorrectly use damages as uncountable in the legal context, though it can be singular in informal speech.

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