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, curst, cursing. 

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, curst, cursing. 

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. 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

Other Word Forms

• curser noun
• outcurse verb (used with object)
• uncursing 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

Some wonder if there is a curse on the village.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 30 years of prosecuting securities fraud for institutional investors, I can tell you that the curse of short-termism is real.

Read more on Barron's

That’s especially true for a Browns franchise that has long been cursed at the most important position in football.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This 1967 novel is a tale of murder in a supposedly cursed rural house.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The victim said Nowden approached him out of nowhere, cursed at him and referred to him by a racial slur before plunging a blade into his chest.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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