cuss
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to swear at; curse.
He cussed the pedestrian for getting in his way.
-
to criticize or reprimand in harsh terms (often followed byout ).
The coach cussed out the team for losing.
noun
-
a person or animal.
a strange but likable cuss.
noun
-
a curse; oath
-
a person or animal, esp an annoying one
verb
Other Word Forms
- cusser noun
Etymology
Origin of cuss
An Americanism first recorded in 1765–75; variant of curse, with loss of r and shortening of vowel, as in ass 2, bass 2, passel, etc.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Oftentimes I would talk people down from this righteous anger, then I would be like, “So don’t cuss people out you don’t know,” and then they’d be like, “Yeah, you’re right.”
From Slate • Mar. 2, 2023
There’s not much sense in being the richest miserable cuss in the cemetery.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2022
He also suggested, "Try not to use major cuss words, if you don't mind."
From Salon • Nov. 30, 2020
“He wouldn’t have wanted me to give up, say this isn’t fair and cuss my life out,” Evan said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2020
“Yeh, so how come he tip his hat to Sula? How come he don’t cuss her?”
From "Sula" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
