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

Why can baseball and basketball players do their jobs with 60,000 hostile fans cursing at full volume but golfers and tennis players need complete silence to do theirs?

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Yes, I still occasionally curse the number of youth sports apps on my phone.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“I would be crying and just cursing, but honestly, to replace one cube is not so difficult,” he said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But beyond the cursing and the passive-aggressiveness, there are also parts that are relatable — or maybe those are indeed the parts that are relatable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During this time, many were considered cursed by the devil in Alpine folklore, their advances linked to spiritual forces as they threatened hamlets and farmland.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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