American English
/kʰɚs/
One syllable.
an offensive word or expression
Practice out loudan offensive word or expression
He said a curse word.
The movie has too many curses.
For one offensive word, curse word is more common than just curse.
curse word · a string of curse words
a curse word
use + a curse word
to use offensive words, especially when you are angry or in pain
She cursed at the driver.
He cursed because he hurt his hand.
curse loudly · curse under your breath
curse at + someone
curse because + reason
magic words or power believed to cause harm or bad luck
The village was under a curse.
The story is about a curse on a royal family.
break a curse · lift a curse · put a curse on someone
a curse on + person/place
under a curse
to use magic words or power to cause harm or bad luck to someone or something
The witch cursed the prince.
They believed that someone had cursed the house.
In everyday speech, this usually means using bad language. The magic meaning is mainly used in stories or discussions of magic.
curse + someone/something
an offensive word
Please do not use curse words at work.
to use magic to cause harm or bad luck to someone or something
The legend says that a witch put a curse on the castle.
something with both good and bad effects
Being famous can be a blessing and a curse.
Drop the final e before -ing: cursing, not curseing.