curse

[ kurs ]

noun

1. the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.

   Synonyms: malediction, fulmination, execration, imprecation

   Antonyms: benediction, blessing

2. a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another.
3. the act of reciting such a formula.
4. a profane oath; curse word.
5. an evil that has been invoked upon one.

   Synonyms: torment, affliction, plague, scourge, bane, trouble, calamity, misfortune

6. the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble.

   Synonyms: torment, affliction, plague, scourge, bane

7. something accursed.
8. Informal. Usually the curse. the menstrual period; menstruation.
9. an ecclesiastical censure or anathema.

   Synonyms: imprecation, malediction, fulmination, execration

   Antonyms: benediction, blessing

verb (used with object)

, cursed or curst, curs·ing.

1. to wish or invoke evil, calamity, injury, or destruction upon.

   Antonyms: bless

2. to swear at.
3. to blaspheme.
4. to afflict with great evil.

   Synonyms: doom, afflict, scourge, plague

5. to excommunicate.

verb (used without object)

, cursed or curst, curs·ing.

1. to utter curses; swear profanely.

curse

/ kɜːs /

noun

1. a profane or obscene expression of anger, disgust, surprise, etc; oath
2. an appeal to a supernatural power for harm to come to a specific person, group, etc
3. harm resulting from an appeal to a supernatural power

   to be under a curse

4. something that brings or causes great trouble or harm
5. a saying, charm, effigy, etc, used to invoke a curse
6. an ecclesiastical censure of excommunication
7. the curse informal.
   menstruation or a menstrual period

verb

1. intr to utter obscenities or oaths
2. tr to abuse (someone) with obscenities or oaths
3. tr to invoke supernatural powers to bring harm to (someone or something)
4. tr to bring harm upon
5. tr another word for excommunicate

Derived Forms

• ˈcurser, noun

Other Words From

• curs·er noun
• out·curse verb (used with object) outcursed outcursing
• un·curs·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of curse¹

First recorded in before 1050; Middle English curs (noun), cursen (verb), Old English curs (noun), cursian (verb), of disputed origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of curse¹

Old English cursian to curse, from curs a curse

Synonym Study

Curse, blaspheme, swear are often interchangeable in the sense of using profane language. However, curse is the general word for the heartfelt invoking or angry calling down of evil on another: to curse an enemy. To blaspheme is to speak contemptuously or with abuse of God or of sacred things: to blaspheme openly. To swear is to use the name of God or of some holy person or thing as an exclamation to add force or show anger: to swear in every sentence.

Example Sentences

Teacher Bella Ivory said she felt scared when rallying students shouted hateful curse words outside the classroom where she was helping facilitate a Black Student Union meeting last week.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was both a blessing and a curse, because I felt real pressure to get it right for everybody here,” they said.

From Los Angeles Times

Paul – who has mainly fought ex-UFC stars in an 11-bout career – cursed at a journalist who asked him when he would face "a real fighter".

From BBC

Like the characters in “Pacific Overtures,” we too are living in interesting times, as the old curse euphemistically puts it.

From Los Angeles Times

Some Maccabi Tel Aviv fans have previously been involved in racist incidents in Israel, including cursing at the team’s Palestinian and Arab players and reportedly applying pressure on the team to oust them.

From BBC

Related Words

• bane
• burden
• calamity
• disaster
• evil
• jinx
• scourge