cussing

American  

[kuhs-ing] / ˈkʌs ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or practice of cursing or swearing.

   Keep the cussing to a minimum, as there are kids around.

2. the act of criticizing or reprimanding someone in harsh language (usually followed byout ).

   After three fouls, the player was pulled from the field and got a good cussing out from his coach.

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adjective

1. cursing or swearing.

   A cussing parrot has landed a woman in court for allegedly teaching the bird to swear at her neighbor.

Etymology

Origin of cussing

First recorded in 1830–40; cuss ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; cuss ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

Neither is he known for casually cussing in private.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2024

As late as 1974, Richard Pryor was arrested for “disorderly conduct” simply for cussing in his stand-up act.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2023

Is cussing a part of communication for Scientology believers, one officially sanctioned or dictated?

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2022

“They are under attack constantly,” he said, noting that police officers decades ago could “arrest someone for cussing them out,” until court rulings curtailed such police powers.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2021

“With the cussing removed? He said he can get us to the top. Frank looked incredulous. “I thought the horse couldn’t fly!”

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• bane
• expletive
• obscenity
• profanity
• whammy