cuss

American  

[kuhs] / kʌs /

verb (used without object)

1. to use profanity; curse; swear.

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verb (used with object)

1. to swear at; curse.

   He cussed the pedestrian for getting in his way.

2. to criticize or reprimand in harsh terms (often followed byout ).

   The coach cussed out the team for losing.

noun

1. curse word; oath.

2. a person or animal.

   a strange but likable cuss.

cuss British  

/ kʌs /

noun

1. a curse; oath

2. a person or animal, esp an annoying one

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verb

1. another word for curse curse

Other Word Forms

• cusser noun

Etymology

Origin of cuss

An Americanism first recorded in 1765–75; variant of curse, with loss of r and shortening of vowel, as in ass ², bass ², passel, etc.

Example Sentences

“There’s always going be someone that doesn’t like me, and I’m okay with that now. I am who I am. I cuss. I love God. I’m a little bit of everything.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added: "Wasn't disrespectful because my mom didn't raise me that way. Didn't cuss. Still trying to figure it out."

From BBC

“I mean, he kind of cusses sometimes,” Rios said.

From Los Angeles Times

“They don’t need to learn how to cuss.”

From Seattle Times

“But that’ll die out if there’s no emotional current underneath. The cussing has context. As long as there is an emotional story underneath the bells and whistles of cussing, then that works.”

From Seattle Times