noun
Uncommon
curb
kurb
Also spelled kerb (UK spelling)
Curb (noun) means the raised edge of a sidewalk or pavement bordering a street. Example: “He parked the car close to the curb.”
noun
1
The raised edge of a sidewalk or pavement bordering a street.
"He parked the car close to the curb."
"The child sat on the curb waiting for her mother to arrive."
"Be careful not to scrape your tyres against the curb when you park."
2
Something that restrains or holds something in check.
"The new tax is meant to act as a curb on excessive drinking."
"Rising prices have acted as a curb on how much people spend."
"The council wants a curb on late-night noise in the town centre."
verb
1
To control or hold back; to restrain.
"She tried to curb her enthusiasm during the interview."
"The government introduced measures to curb inflation."
"We must curb our spending until the end of the month."
How to use curb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the edge of a pavement, or, as a verb, to hold something back or limit it.
UK vs US
In UK English the pavement edge is usually spelled "kerb"; American English uses "curb" for both meanings.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
curb your enthusiasm
curb spending
sit on the curb
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Word forms
- Plural
- curbs
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He parked the car close to the _____.
Etymology
From Middle French courbe, "curved object," from Latin curvus, "bent, curved" — making it a doublet of "curve."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for curb
See all rhymes for curb →Frequently asked questions
What does “curb” mean?
The word “curb” means the raised edge of a sidewalk or pavement bordering a street. In plain terms, either the edge of a pavement, or, as a verb, to hold something back or limit it.
How do you pronounce “curb”?
“Curb” is pronounced kurb (/kɝb/ in IPA).
How do you use “curb” in a sentence?
Here is “curb” used in a sentence: “He parked the car close to the curb.”
What part of speech is “curb”?
Depending on how it is used, “curb” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “curb” come from?
The word “curb” comes from Latin. From Middle French courbe, "curved object," from Latin curvus, "bent, curved" — making it a doublet of "curve.".
Is “curb” a common word?
“Curb” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “curb” have?
“Curb” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the raised edge of a sidewalk or pavement bordering a street.
What is the difference between curb and kerb?
Curb and kerb refer to the same raised edge of a sidewalk bordering a street; curb is the standard American spelling, while kerb is the standard British spelling. The verb meaning to control or restrain is spelled curb in both varieties of English.
What is the difference between curb and restrain?
Curb and restrain both mean to hold something in check, but curb often suggests limiting something to a more moderate or acceptable level, such as curbing spending, while restrain more broadly means to physically or forcefully hold something back.
What does it mean to 'curb your enthusiasm'?
To curb your enthusiasm means to hold back or moderate your excitement, using curb in its verb sense of controlling or restraining something. It suggests tempering a strong feeling rather than eliminating it entirely.
Is curb only used for streets and sidewalks?
No, curb is also used more broadly as a noun for anything that restrains or holds something in check, and as a verb meaning to control or restrain, such as curbing inflation or curbing a habit.
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