A1 noun Formal

damages

/ˈdæm.ɪ.dʒɪz/

Damages is a legal term for the money paid to someone because they were hurt or their property was broken. In a court of law, a judge decides how much money a person or company must pay for the harm they caused.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The court told the man to pay damages to his neighbor for the broken window.

The court told the man to pay damages to his neighbor for the broken window.

2

The plaintiff is seeking significant damages for the breach of contract.

The plaintiff is seeking significant damages for the breach of contract.

3

He's hoping to get big damages after the accident.

He's hoping to get big damages after the accident.

Word Family

Noun
damage
Verb
damage
Adverb
damagingly
Adjective
damaged
Related
damages
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Memory Tip

Think of the 's' at the end of 'damages' as standing for 'Settlement money'.

Quick Quiz

The judge ordered the company to pay $10,000 in _______ for the mistake.

Correct!

The correct answer is: damages

Examples

1

The court told the man to pay damages to his neighbor for the broken window.

everyday

The court told the man to pay damages to his neighbor for the broken window.

2

The plaintiff is seeking significant damages for the breach of contract.

formal

The plaintiff is seeking significant damages for the breach of contract.

3

He's hoping to get big damages after the accident.

informal

He's hoping to get big damages after the accident.

4

The study examines how courts calculate damages in environmental cases.

academic

The study examines how courts calculate damages in environmental cases.

5

Our company had to pay damages because the project was not finished on time.

business

Our company had to pay damages because the project was not finished on time.

Word Family

Noun
damage
Verb
damage
Adverb
damagingly
Adjective
damaged
Related
damages

Common Collocations

pay damages to give money as a legal penalty
award damages when a judge decides money must be paid
claim damages to ask for money in a legal case
punitive damages money paid as a punishment
sue for damages to start a court case to get money

Common Phrases

liquidated damages

a fixed amount of money agreed in a contract for a breach

compensatory damages

money paid to replace what was lost

seek damages

to try to get money through the legal system

Often Confused With

damages vs damage

Damage (singular) refers to the physical harm or break, while damages (plural) refers to the money paid as compensation.

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Usage Notes

In a legal context, 'damages' is almost always used in the plural form when referring to money.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use the singular 'damage' when they mean the money awarded by a court.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 's' at the end of 'damages' as standing for 'Settlement money'.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'damage', which comes from the Latin 'damnum' meaning loss or hurt.

Grammar Patterns

Used as a plural noun Often followed by the preposition 'for' Commonly used with verbs like 'award', 'seek', or 'pay'
🌍

Cultural Context

In some countries, like the United States, legal systems are well-known for awarding very high damages in civil cases.

Quick Quiz

The judge ordered the company to pay $10,000 in _______ for the mistake.

Correct!

The correct answer is: damages

More law words

justice

A1

Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.

verdict

A1

A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.

trial

A1

A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.

hearing

A1

In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.

litigation

A1

Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.

testimony

A1

A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.

witness

A1

A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.

crime

A1

A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.

criminal

A1

A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.

felony

A1

A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.

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