What does "curse" mean?
A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
Curse
/kɜːs/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
- Grammar: curse is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: bane, cuss, expletive, hex.
- Useful contrasts: alleluia, godspeed, hallelujah.
- Usage evidence: Nor was he ever known to curse unless against the government.
How to use "curse"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "curse" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "curse" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "curse" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "curse" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "curse" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bane" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "curse", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
"If ye will not heare, and if yee will not lay it to heart, to giue glory vnto my name, saith the Lord of hostes; I will euen send a curse vpon you, and will curse your blessings: yea, I haue cursed them already, because yee doe not lay it to heart."
- 2 profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger wordnet
- 3 A prayer or imprecation that harm may befall someone.
- 4 an evil spell wordnet
- 5 The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.
"The common curſe of mankinde, Folly and Ignorance[…]"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on someone or some group wordnet
- 7 A vulgar epithet.
"Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself."
- 8 a severe affliction wordnet
- 9 A woman's menses. dated, derogatory, slang, usually, with-definite-article
- 10 something causing misery or death wordnet
Verb
- 1 To place a curse upon (a person or object). transitive
"And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out. And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed."
- 2 utter obscenities or profanities wordnet
- 3 To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.
"Thou ſhalt not[…]curſe the ruler of thy people."
- 4 wish harm upon; invoke evil upon wordnet
- 5 To speak or shout a vulgar curse or epithet. transitive
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 heap obscenities upon wordnet
- 7 To use offensive or morally inappropriate language. intransitive
"Then beganne hee to curſe and to ſweare[…]"
- 8 exclude from a church or a religious community wordnet
- 9 To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness to; to furnish with that which will be a cause of deep trouble; to afflict or injure grievously; to harass or torment.
"On Impious Realms, and barb’rous Kings, impoſe / Thy Plagues, and curſe 'em with ſuch Sons as thoſe."
Antonyms
Example
"Nor was he ever known to curse unless against the government."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "curse"?
Common synonyms include: bane, cuss, expletive, hex, jinx, abuse.
How do you use "curse" in a sentence?
Nor was he ever known to curse unless against the government.
How do you pronounce "curse"?
Pronounced /kɜːs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English curse, kors, cors, curs, from Old English cors, curs (“curse”), of unknown origin.
Etymology 2
From Middle English cursen, corsen, coursen, from Old English corsian, cursian (“to curse”), from the noun (see above).