curfew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal
Quick answer
What does “curfew” mean?
A rule requiring people to stay indoors between specific hours, typically at night.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rule requiring people to stay indoors between specific hours, typically at night.
A regulation or time limit; historically, a signal (like a bell) in the evening. Used figuratively for any strict deadline or restriction on movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The word is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Associated with public safety measures, parental rules for teenagers, and military or emergency regulations.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in news and formal contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “curfew” in a Sentence
impose [CURFEW] on [PLACE/PERSON]be under [CURFEW][CURFEW] is in effect from [TIME] to [TIME]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “curfew” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council can curfew problem estates in extreme circumstances.
- The town was curfewed after the disturbances.
American English
- The mayor threatened to curfew the downtown area.
- The neighbourhood was effectively curfewed by police.
adjective
British English
- The curfew order was published in the local paper.
- They were given curfew conditions as part of their bail.
American English
- The curfew law applies to anyone under 18.
- He violated his curfew agreement with the court.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in travel advisories or security briefings regarding operations in unstable regions.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, and political science texts discussing social control, public order, or juvenile policies.
Everyday
Common in news reports about emergencies, and in family discussions about rules for teenagers.
Technical
Used in legal, military, and emergency management contexts to denote a specific official order.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “curfew”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “curfew”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curfew”
- Using 'curfew' to mean any deadline (e.g., 'project curfew'). Incorrect preposition: 'in the curfew' instead of 'under a curfew'. Pluralizing unnecessarily when referring to the concept (e.g., 'curfews' for multiple instances of the same regulation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though it's less common. It means 'to impose a curfew on' (e.g., 'The area was curfewed').
It comes from the Old French 'cuevrefeu', meaning 'cover fire', referring to a medieval signal to extinguish fires for the night.
Typically yes, but it can refer to any enforced period of restricted movement, even if during the day in extreme situations.
A curfew typically restricts movement during specific hours (often night), allowing movement at other times. A lockdown is usually a more severe, continuous order to stay indoors with minimal exceptions.
A rule requiring people to stay indoors between specific hours, typically at night.
Curfew is usually neutral to formal in register.
Curfew: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɜː.fjuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɝː.fjuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to beat the curfew”
- “curfew culture (referring to parental restrictions on teenagers)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CURFEW' as a 'CURFew' - a 'CURtain' that FALLS in the EVENing, restricting you.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER (being 'under' curfew); AUTHORITY IS A PARENT (imposing rules for protection/order).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'curfew' LEAST likely to be used?