Curse
/kɜːrs/
Definitions
3 meaningsA declaration or invocation of harm; a malediction.
/kɜːrs/
A solemn utterance intended to invoke evil or harm.
The villagers believed they were living under a curse.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone saying bad words or wishing bad things on someone. Like when you're really mad and you yell, 'I curse you!' It's like putting bad luck on someone.
👶 For kids: When you say words to wish bad things on someone, it's a curse!
More Examples
The witch placed a curse on the sleeping beauty.
The pharaoh's tomb was said to be protected by an ancient curse.
How It's Used
"The ancient pharaoh's tomb was believed to be protected by a deadly curse."
"The witch's curse condemned the prince to a life as a frog."
"He muttered a curse under his breath after stubbing his toe."
To invoke harm or evil upon; to swear at; to use offensive language.
/kɜːrs/
To utter a curse against someone or something.
She cursed her bad luck.
💡 Simply: To say bad words or wish bad things on someone or something. Like yelling at a video game when you lose.
👶 For kids: When you say bad words or wish bad things on someone.
More Examples
He cursed the broken printer.
The old woman cursed the thief who stole her purse.
How It's Used
"The angry king cursed his enemies."
"He cursed the traffic that made him late."
A source of trouble or misery; a cause of ruin.
/kɜːrs/
Something that causes great trouble, harm, or misfortune.
The drought was a curse for the farmers.
💡 Simply: Something that causes a lot of problems or bad luck. Like when you always get sick, that might be a curse!
👶 For kids: Something that is a BIG problem for someone or something.
More Examples
Loneliness was a curse for the hermit.
The old house felt like a curse upon the new owners.
How It's Used
"His gambling addiction was a curse on his family."
"Poverty was a curse that plagued the city."
Idioms & expressions
curse someone out
To yell at someone angrily and use offensive language.
"The manager cursed the employee out for being late again."
a mixed curse
A situation that has both advantages and disadvantages or something that can bring about good and bad outcomes.
"The new technology turned out to be a mixed curse. It made everything easier, but also made people lazier."
From Old English *curs* (n.) and *cursian* (v.), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *kursiz*, related to words for 'cross' or 'evil'. Evolution related to the idea of uttering harmful words or invoking misfortune.
The word 'curse' has a long history, used in both religious contexts and everyday language to express anger and invoke harm. It was also used in legal and literary contexts for a very long time.
Memory tip
Think of a wizard casting a spell of bad luck. A curse is like a bad magic spell.
Word Origin
"To utter a solemn imprecation of evil or harm upon someone or something."