curse
kurs
Curse (noun) means a spell or supernatural force believed to bring harm or bad luck. Example: “In the story, a wizard's curse left the village without rain for years.”
noun
1
A spell or supernatural force believed to bring harm or bad luck.
"In the story, a wizard's curse left the village without rain for years."
"Legend says the tomb carries an ancient curse."
"The family blamed their run of bad luck on a curse."
2
A rude or offensive word used to express anger.
"The driver let out a loud curse when the car cut in front of him."
"Children should not be allowed to shout a curse at the referee."
"He muttered a curse when he stubbed his toe."
verb
1
To wish harm on someone, or to swear angrily.
"He cursed the traffic loudly as he sat in the jam for an hour."
"She cursed under her breath when she missed the bus."
"The witch cursed the prince, turning him into a frog."
How to use curse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wish for bad luck to fall on someone, or the act of swearing.
Common pairings
under a curse
curse word
curse at someone
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like curse.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- curses
- Third person singular
- curses
- Past tense
- cursed, curst
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the story, a wizard's _____ left the village without rain for years.
Etymology
From Old English curs, of unknown origin — one of the few common English words with no clear ancestor further back.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for curse
See all rhymes for curse →Frequently asked questions
What does “curse” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “curse”?
“Curse” is pronounced kurs (/kɝs/ in IPA).
How do you use “curse” in a sentence?
Here is “curse” used in a sentence: “Legend says the tomb carries an ancient curse.”
What part of speech is “curse”?
Depending on how it is used, “curse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “curse” come from?
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.
Is “curse” a common word?
“Curse” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “curse” have?
“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.
What is the difference between a curse and a hex?
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.
What is the difference between a curse and a jinx?
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.
What is the difference between cursing and swearing?
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.
What is the opposite of a curse?
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.
