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DictionarydangMild exclamation
interjection

dang

DANG/dˈæŋ/

A mild exclamation expressing emotion or adding emphasis.

Dang, the pencil just snapped!

Mild exasperation at a snapped pencil.
Etymology
dangLatincondemn, adjudge guilty

Latin damnare meant “condemn,” which developed into damn’s religious sense of dooming someone to punishment and its use as an oath. Dang softens that oath into a mild exclamation.

In context

The Converse Cowboy25:52
… I was like dang like this Joker is doing million dollar left and right and he just stopped in his day to respond
Dale Brisby | The Converse Cowboy

More examples

  • Dang, that water is cold.
  • Well, dang, I thought we had more time.
  • Dang, you nearly scared me!

Forms

dang

Similar words

darn
Another mild substitute for a stronger exclamation.
drat
Usually expresses annoyance rather than broad emphasis.