damages
DAM-ij-iz
/ˈdæm.ɪ.dʒɪz/
A sum of money claimed or awarded by a court in compensation for a loss or an injury.
Note the plural form: singular 'damage' means physical harm; plural 'damages' strictly refers to monetary compensation.
The story behind the word. From Anglo-French damage, derived from Latin damnum ('loss, fine, harm'). The plural form 'damages' evolved in English common law specifically to mean the legal financial remedy granted to compensate for damnum.
Word relationships
- compensation: Compensation is a broad term for payment for harm or work; damages specifically refers to court-ordered money awards.
- indemnification: Indemnification is reimbursement under a prior agreement, whereas damages are awarded by a court after litigation.
- restitution: Restitution returns specific wrongfully taken property or profits, rather than calculating general financial harm.
Commonly confused with
- damage: Damage (singular) is physical injury or harm to something; damages (plural) is monetary payment ordered by a court.
Word family
- damage (verb/noun): To harm or injure / physical harm
Collocations
- compensatory damages
- punitive damages
- liquidated damages
- seek damages
- award damages
Example sentences
- "The jury ordered the chemical firm to pay three million dollars in compensatory damages to affected residents." Court verdict news release
- "The judge awarded liquidated damages according to the specific remedy clause in the commercial lease." Contract dispute ruling
Memory hook
DAMages = Dollars Awarded for Material Harm. Monetary money ordered for harm.
When not to use
Do not say 'I paid damages' to mean 'I fixed the broken window physical structure'; damages means cash compensation awarded.
Fun facts
- Punitive damages are designed not to compensate the victim, but strictly to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
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