To maimto injure badly so that the body is permanently damaged someone is to seriously injure them in a way that causes lasting damage or permanentlasting forever or not likely to change back disfigurementa change in appearance that makes a person look badly injured. It is a strong, formal word often used for severe physical injury.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /meɪm/
Easy pronunciation: MAYM (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, so the whole word is stressed.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Maim Meaning
to badly injure someone in a lasting way
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to injure or wound seriously so that permanent disfigurement or loss of function results
Example: Several people were maimed in the accident.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse maim with harm, hurt, or wound, but maim is stronger and implies lasting damage.
- Maim is usually used for serious physical injury, not minor injuries or emotional pain.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does maim mean?
Maim means to seriously injure someone so that the injury causes permanent damage or disfigurement.
Is maim a strong word?
Yes. It suggests very severe physical injury, not a small cut or bruise.
Can maim be used figuratively?
It can be used in a broad, serious way, but its main meaning is physical injury with lasting damage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-03. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
