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

Example Sentences

Some wonder if there is a curse on the village.

From 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.

From Barron's

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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