Curb
/kɜːrb/
Definitions
2 meaningsA raised edge, typically made of stone or concrete, along the side of a road or path.
/kɜːrb/
A raised edge along a road or path.
The children sat on the curb waiting for the ice cream truck.
💡 Simply: Imagine walking on the sidewalk. The curb is that little wall that separates the sidewalk from the street. It's there to keep cars from accidentally driving onto the sidewalk. It’s also helpful when people are walking their dogs!
👶 For kids: The curb is the edge of the sidewalk, where the street starts.
More Examples
Be careful not to trip over the curb.
The bus pulled up right beside the curb to pick up passengers.
How It's Used
"The city is repairing the curbs along Main Street."
"He parked his car close to the curb."
To restrain or control; to keep within limits.
/kɜːrb/
To restrain or control something.
The government is trying to curb spending.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're about to eat all the cookies. Curbing something means you're stopping yourself from doing something you might regret. Like curbing your appetite for those cookies!
👶 For kids: To curb means to stop or control something, like stopping yourself from jumping on the bed.
More Examples
She curbed her enthusiasm to avoid appearing too eager.
We need to curb the spread of misinformation.
How It's Used
"She curbed her anger and walked away."
"The government is trying to curb inflation."
Idioms & expressions
curb appeal
The attractiveness of a property as viewed from the street.
"Improving the landscaping will increase the curb appeal of the house."
From Old French *courber* 'to bend, curve', from Latin *curvare* 'to bend'. The noun meaning developed from the verb, referring to the curved edge.
The noun meaning 'a raised edge' is a later development, originating from the verb. The verb's use to restrain something dates back to the 14th century.
Memory tip
Think of the curved edge on the side of the road.
Word Origin
"to bend, curve"