curse

The word “curse” means a spell or supernatural force believed to bring harm or bad luck. In plain terms, a wish for bad luck to fall on someone, or the act of swearing.

“Curse” is pronounced kurs (/kɝs/ in IPA).

Here is “curse” used in a sentence: “Legend says the tomb carries an ancient curse.”

Depending on how it is used, “curse” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “curse” comes from Old English. From Old English curs, of unknown origin — one of the few common English words with no clear ancestor further back.

“Curse” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Curse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spell or supernatural force believed to bring harm or bad luck.

Both are spells believed to bring harm or bad luck. Hex is the more informal and often lighter word, while curse can also mean a lasting condition of misfortune, as in "the family curse". Curse additionally means a rude or offensive word — a sense hex never has.

A jinx is a mild force of bad luck, often said to be triggered accidentally — for example by boasting about something too soon. A curse is a deliberate spell or supernatural force believed to bring serious or lasting harm. Calling something jinxed suggests bad luck; calling it cursed suggests doom.

In everyday use they are interchangeable: both mean using rude or offensive words in anger. Historically, cursing implied wishing harm on someone while swearing implied a profane oath, but modern speakers rarely observe the distinction. "Cussing" is an informal American variant of cursing.

A blessing. Where a curse is a spell or force believed to bring harm or bad luck, a blessing is intended to bring favour or protection, and to bless someone is the opposite of cursing them.