curse
B2Mostly formal, but strong informal use for swearing.
Definition
Meaning
To call upon supernatural powers to cause harm or misfortune to someone or something.
To use offensive or profane language; a cause of great harm or misery.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has distinct senses: 1) a magical invocation of harm (noun/verb), 2) swearing profanely (verb), 3) a persistent source of trouble (noun). Sense 1 is formal/literary; sense 2 is informal but common; sense 3 is figurative and common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'curse' similarly for swearing ('curse like a sailor'). The noun 'curse' for menstruation (e.g., 'the curse') is somewhat dated but was slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. The magical sense is equally archaic/literary in both.
Frequency
Similarly frequent in both dialects. Profanity-related uses are equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] curse somebody/something[verb] curse somebody/something for something[verb] curse at somebody/something[noun] curse of something[noun] a curse on somebody/something[verb] curse (as expletive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Curse of the Bambino”
- “be cursed with something”
- “the curse of (something)”
- “curse the day (you met someone)”
- “curse your luck”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figurative use: 'high taxes were the curse of small businesses.'
Academic
Historical/literary analysis: 'the curse motif in Greek tragedy.'
Everyday
'He cursed when he dropped his phone.' / 'Traffic is a curse.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts outside of literary/folkloric studies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The family believed they were under an ancient curse.
- Parking in this city is an absolute curse.
- He let out a string of curses when he stubbed his toe.
American English
- The Pharaoh's curse was a popular movie theme.
- The curse of this job is the long commute.
- She used a curse word I'd never heard before.
verb
British English
- He cursed violently when the football match was cancelled.
- The old witch was said to curse anyone who trespassed on her land.
- I curse this wretched weather every day.
American English
- She cursed under her breath after locking her keys in the car.
- Legend says the treasure is cursed.
- He cursed his bad luck.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- The cursed object was hidden away.
- I'm in a cursed spot for mobile reception.
American English
- They tried to escape the cursed town.
- He threw away the cursed old laptop.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She said a bad word – a curse.
- He cursed when he fell.
- The old story talks about a curse on the castle.
- Please don't curse in front of the children.
- He cursed his rival under his breath.
- The constant noise was the curse of living near the airport.
- The dynasty was seemingly cursed with misfortune for generations.
- She uttered a malediction so potent it was considered an irreversible curse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a NURSE who is so angry she puts a CURSE on a patient – 'the CURSE of the NURSE'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARM IS A SUPERNATURAL FORCE ('a curse fell upon them'); ANGER IS HEAT ('he cursed, his blood boiling').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'course' (курс).
- The Russian 'проклятие' covers the magical/literary noun sense but is too strong for everyday 'swearing' (use 'ругаться' for the verb).
- Russian 'клясть' is more 'to swear an oath', not 'to use profanity'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'curse' (verb) with 'course' (noun).
- Using 'curse' as a noun for mild annoyance instead of a severe affliction.
- Incorrect preposition: 'He cursed on me' (should be 'He cursed at me').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'curse' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it has that literary sense, its most common everyday uses are 1) swearing using bad language and 2) describing something causing persistent trouble (e.g., 'the curse of modern life').
'Curse' and 'swear' are largely interchangeable for using profanity. 'Curse' can sound slightly more formal/old-fashioned. 'Cuss' is a very informal, chiefly American variant of 'curse' in the swearing sense.
Almost never. It inherently implies harm, misfortune, or offensiveness. Its direct antonym is 'bless'.
Use the structure 'a/the curse of...' (e.g., 'the curse of bureaucracy') or simply call something 'a curse' (e.g., 'This traffic is a curse'). It implies a persistent, burdensome problem.