Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of curse word
First recorded in 1870–75
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.
“I never said a curse word or stood up or threatened anyone, but it was hot under the collar, and I regret that,” Dorph said.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 17, 2023
We recorded together, a wonderful song and not one curse word — a very, very positive message.
From New York Times • Jan. 1, 2023
Raphael Bostic, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve, joked Tuesday in separate remarks that “transitory” is now seen as the equivalent of a curse word at the Atlanta Fed.
From Washington Times • Oct. 13, 2021
Inexplicably, not a single curse word comes out of George Brett.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2019
When I am working here, I think of Señor Santos, who probably never used a curse word, not even exclaimed “¡Ay Chihuahua!”
From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads
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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.