curse

American  

[kurs] / kɜrs /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of curse

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

Explanation

When you curse, you say words you wouldn't want your mother or your priest to hear you saying. A curse can also be wishing something awful on someone, like the witch who puts a curse on Sleeping Beauty. When you hear "maledizione!" in an Italian opera, somebody's having a curse placed on them. The Italian word tells you just what a curse is — it's a "bad saying" — a really bad saying. Like "May you and all your family have nothing but Brussels sprouts to eat forever and ever!" That would be a curse. As a verb, the act of cursing will lead to getting your mouth washed out with soap.

Example Sentences

They enact for their confused rescuer the story of the forgotten fairy at the christening, the curse and the spindle—and then go back to sleep.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The original film chronicled Sally and Gillian’s quest for love while balancing their identities as witches and their familial curse.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

"These days, when I fight with my husband I drum to Burn and cast a curse on him," the 65-year-old conservative leader told the musicians at her office in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, on Friday.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“It was like the magazine cover curse — as soon as that happened, it was like, ‘Oh, boy,’ and, sure enough, we’ve been down since.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Curse or no curse, a baker was needed, and a baker must be found, even if the whole of England had to be searched!

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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