Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Curb

//kɝb// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand). US
  2. 2
    the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess wordnet
  3. 3
    A raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening. US
  4. 4
    an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter) wordnet
  5. 5
    Something that checks or restrains; a restraint. US, figuratively

    "Even by theſe Men, Religion, that ſhould be / The curb, is made the ſpur to tyranny: / They with their double key of conſcience bind / The Subjects ſouls, and leave Kings unconfin'd; […]"

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse wordnet
  2. 7
    A riding or driving bit for a horse that has rein action which amplifies the pressure in the mouth by leverage advantage placing pressure on the poll via the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove via a curb chain. US

    "He that before ran in the pastures wild / Felt the stiff curb controul his angry jaws."

  3. 8
    A sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers. Canada, US
  4. 9
    A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness. US
Verb
  1. 1
    To check, restrain or control. US, transitive

    "Curb your dog"

  2. 2
    place restrictions on wordnet
  3. 3
    To rein in. US, transitive
  4. 4
    keep to the curb wordnet
  5. 5
    To furnish with a curb, as a well; to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth. US, transitive
Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits wordnet
  2. 7
    Ellipsis of curb stomp. US, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, slang, transitive
  3. 8
    To bring to a stop beside a curb. US, transitive

    "As had become her habit, Jane rove past her destination and curbed the car on a side street a block and a half away."

  4. 9
    To damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb. US, transitive
  5. 10
    To bend or curve. US, transitive

    "[B]y crooked and curbed lines, wee looke within the water; for our eie ſight doth bend and turne againe perforce, by reason that the matter of the water is more thicke; which is the cauſe, that we ſee the mariners oare in the ſea a farre off, as it were crooked."

  6. 11
    To crouch; to cringe. US, intransitive

    "Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, / Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle French courbe (“curve, curved object”), from Latin curvus (“bent, crooked, curved”). Doublet of curve.

Etymology 2

From Middle French courbe (“curve, curved object”), from Latin curvus (“bent, crooked, curved”). Doublet of curve.

See also for "curb"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: curb