UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈkɜːrs/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/kɝs/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(kûrs)
to wish evil upon (someone or something):[~ + object]He cursed me and all I stood for.
to swear (at); say or utter swearwords (to): [no object]I hit my finger with the hammer and cursed silently to myself.[~ + at + object]They cursed loudly at the outfielder for dropping the easy fly ball.[~ + object]She cursed him and walked away.
to complain against (something) often with swearwords:[~ + object]I cursed the bad luck that had ever brought me to that place.
curse(kûrs),USA pronunciationn., v.,cursed or curst, curs•ing. n.
the expression of a wish that misfortune, evil, doom, etc., befall a person, group, etc.
a formula or charm intended to cause such misfortune to another.
the act of reciting such a formula.
a profane oath; curse word.
an evil that has been invoked upon one.
the cause of evil, misfortune, or trouble.
something accursed.
Slang Termsthe menstrual period; menstruation (usually prec. by the).
an ecclesiastical censure or anathema.
v.t.
to wish or invoke evil, calamity, injury, or destruction upon.
to swear at.
to blaspheme.
to afflict with great evil.
to excommunicate.
v.i.
to utter curses; swear profanely.
Middle English curs (noun, nominal), cursen (verb, verbal), Old English curs (noun, nominal), cursian (verb, verbal), of disputed origin, originally bef. 1050
curs′er, n.
1, 9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged imprecation, execration, fulmination, malediction.
5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged misfortune, calamity, trouble.
10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged -12. Curse,blaspheme,swear are often interchangeable in the sense of using profane language. However, curse is the general word for the heartfelt invoking or angry calling down of evil on another:They called down curses on their enemies.To blaspheme is to speak contemptuously or with abuse of God or of sacred things:to blaspheme openly.To swear is to use the name of God or of some holy person or thing as an exclamation to add force or show anger:to swear in every sentence.
13.See corresponding entry in Unabridged plague, scourge, afflict, doom.
1, 9.See corresponding entry in Unabridged blessing, benediction.