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

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."

How to use curfew

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

curfews plural

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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.

Origin: Old French

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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Words that end with W