verb
cuss
kuhs
Cuss (verb) means Informal: to swear or use bad language. Example: “He cussed loudly after hitting his thumb with the hammer.”
verb
1
Informal: to swear or use bad language.
"He cussed loudly after hitting his thumb with the hammer."
noun
1
Informal: a swear word, or (old-fashioned) a fellow or character.
"He's a tough old cuss but means well."
How to use cuss
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual way of saying "curse" or "swear," also used to mean a person ("an odd cuss").
When to use it
Informal and mainly American; not used in formal writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- cusses
- Third person singular
- cusses
- Past tense
- cussed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ loudly after hitting his thumb with the hammer.
Etymology
An American English variant pronunciation of curse.
Related words
Rhymes for cuss
See all rhymes for cuss →Frequently asked questions
What does “cuss” mean?
The word “cuss” means informal: to swear or use bad language. In plain terms, a casual way of saying "curse" or "swear," also used to mean a person ("an odd cuss").
How do you pronounce “cuss”?
“Cuss” is pronounced kuhs (/kʌs/ in IPA).
How do you use “cuss” in a sentence?
Here is “cuss” used in a sentence: “He cussed loudly after hitting his thumb with the hammer.”
What part of speech is “cuss”?
Depending on how it is used, “cuss” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “cuss” have?
“Cuss” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal: to swear or use bad language.
