# curse

/ˈkɝs/ (US) · /kˈɜːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curse
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. supernatural spell

noun · CEFR B1

a magic spell or wish that someone hopes will cause bad things to happen to another person.

For teachers: a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something.

- In the story, the old witch put a curse on the prince that turned him into a frog.
- Local folklore suggests that a curse was placed upon the tomb, promising misfortune to anyone who dared to disturb the ancient remains.

### 2. a swear word

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a very rude or offensive word that people use when they are angry or upset.

For teachers: a profane or obscene word used to express anger, frustration, or contempt.

- He shouted a loud curse when he accidentally dropped the heavy box on his foot.
- The broadcast was interrupted by a string of curses from the crowd, forcing the producers to cut the audio feed immediately.

### 3. source of misery

noun · CEFR B2

something that causes a lot of trouble or unhappiness over a long time.

For teachers: a cause of great harm, persistent misfortune, or severe affliction.

- The lack of clean water has been a curse for the small village for many years.
- The country's vast natural resources proved to be a curse, as they fueled decades of corruption and internal conflict rather than prosperity.

### 4. to use bad language

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to use rude or offensive words because you are angry.

For teachers: to utter offensive or profane language, often as an expression of anger or frustration.

- She started to curse under her breath when she realized she had missed the last bus.
- The coach was warned by the referee after he continued to curse at the players from the sidelines.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb without a direct object.

### 5. to wish harm upon

verb · CEFR B2

to say magic words or hope that something bad happens to someone.

For teachers: to invoke supernatural harm or evil upon a person or object.

- The villain cursed the hero, promising that they would never find happiness.
- The dying man cursed his enemies with his final breath, leaving a chilling atmosphere in the room.

Usage: Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

## Examples

- He let out a loud curse when he dropped the heavy box.
- The old legend says that a witch placed a curse on the family that would last for generations.
- While some view the sudden influx of tourism as a blessing for the local economy, others consider it a curse that has eroded the town's traditional character.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.