noun
Uncommon
curfew
KUR-fyoo
Curfew (noun) means an official rule requiring people to be indoors by a set time. Example: “The city imposed a curfew after the riots broke out.”
noun
1
An official rule requiring people to be indoors by a set time.
"The city imposed a curfew after the riots broke out."
"My parents gave me an 11pm curfew when I was a teenager."
"Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting. In Monmouth, Ocean and other counties, people waited for hours for gasoline at the few stations that had electricity. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare."
— David M. Halbfinger, Hurricane Sandy (2012)
How to use curfew
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rule setting the time by which people must be off the streets or back home.
Common pairings
impose a curfew
break curfew
nighttime curfew
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Word forms
- Plural
- curfews
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The city imposed a _____ after the riots broke out.
Etymology
From Old French cuevre-fu, literally "cover fire" — originally an evening signal for households to bank their hearth fires for the night.
Frequently asked questions
What does “curfew” mean?
The word “curfew” means an official rule requiring people to be indoors by a set time. In plain terms, a rule setting the time by which people must be off the streets or back home.
How do you pronounce “curfew”?
“Curfew” is pronounced KUR-fyoo (/ˈkɝ.fju/ in IPA).
How do you use “curfew” in a sentence?
Here is “curfew” used in a sentence: “The city imposed a curfew after the riots broke out.”
What part of speech is “curfew”?
“Curfew” is a noun.
Where does the word “curfew” come from?
The word “curfew” comes from Old French. From Old French cuevre-fu, literally "cover fire" — originally an evening signal for households to bank their hearth fires for the night.
Is “curfew” a common word?
“Curfew” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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