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curb

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɝb// UK //kˈɜːb// curb Slang

n. the stone or concrete edge of a sidewalk that separates it from the street. You step over it when you cross the road.

n. a stone or concrete edging to a pavement or raised path, forming a border with a roadway. In North American English, the spelling is 'curb'; in British English, 'kerb' is used for this physical structure.


SIMPLE

He parked his car close to the curb.

CONTEXTUAL

The cyclist hit the curb and lost her balance, but luckily she wasn't hurt.

COMPLEX

Rainwater rushed along the gutter, eventually spilling over the curb and onto the sidewalk during the peak of the summer storm.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French courbe (“curve, curved object”), from Latin curvus (“bent, crooked, curved”). Doublet of curve.

Usage

In British English, the spelling 'kerb' is used for the roadside edge, while 'curb' is reserved for the verb meaning to restrain.

Pitfall

He tripped on the kerb (US)He tripped on the curb (US)Learners must distinguish between the American 'curb' and the British 'kerb' for the physical roadside edge.

Idioms4 entries

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