curb
gb/kˈɚb/ us/kˈɚb/
B1
English
~ 9600
visszaszorít, korlátoz, visszafog, korlátozás, korlát, járdaszegély, álladzólánc, álladzószíj, feszítőzablával visszafog
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to curb [something]
The government introduced new taxes to curb inflation.
A kormány új adókat vezetett be az infláció visszaszorítására.
Parents are trying to curb their children's screen time.
A szülők próbálják korlátozni a gyerekeik képernyőidejét.
Stricter laws have been brought in to curb drunk driving.
Companies are under pressure to curb carbon emissions.
He struggled to curb his anger during the meeting.
Learner examples
The city wants to curb crime in this area.
A város vissza akarja szorítani a bűnözést ezen a környéken.
I am trying to curb how much sugar I eat.
Próbálom visszafogni a cukorfogyasztásomat.
New rules were made to curb smoking in public places.
She could not curb her laughter in class.
They took action to curb the spread of the virus.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "curb" with "curve" in writing. "Curb" means to control or limit; "curve" is a line that is not straight. Also, learners may say *"curb down"* or *"curb back"*; in standard English we normally just say "curb [something]" without an extra particle.
Meaning
to limit or control something
Collocations
curb inflation
|curb spending
|curb violence
|curb emissions
|curb demand
Synonyms
limit (More general and common; does not always suggest stopping something harmful.)
Antonyms
encourage (Means to support or increase something instead of trying to hold it back.)
Themes
politics
|economy
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To control or reduce something that is too strong or bad.
To control or reduce something, especially something harmful, unwanted, or excessive.
NOUN
C1
2
korlátozás
B1
korlát
B1
Usage pattern:
a curb on [something]
The new law places a curb on political donations.
Az új törvény korlátot szab a politikai adományoknak.
There should be tighter curbs on online advertising aimed at children.
Szigorúbb korlátozásokat kellene bevezetni a gyerekeket célzó online hirdetésekre.
The central bank announced curbs on risky lending practices.
Environmental groups are calling for curbs on plastic use.
After the crisis, many curbs on travel were finally lifted.
Learner examples
Many people want a curb on gun sales.
Sokan a fegyvereladások korlátozását szeretnék.
The school put a curb on phone use in class.
Az iskola korlátozást vezetett be a tanórai telefonhasználatra.
Some workers protest curbs on their rights.
The city plans curbs on car traffic in the center.
There are strong curbs on smoking in this country.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this noun sense with the physical street edge. If it is followed by "on" plus an abstract noun (e.g. spending, powers, rights), it usually means a limit or control, not the edge of the road.
Meaning
a control or limit
Collocations
a curb on spending
|a curb on powers
|strict curbs on
|lift the curb on
|impose a curb on
Synonyms
restriction (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and common in legal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
freedom (Refers to the absence of limits or controls.)
Themes
politics
|law
|economy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A rule or action that stops something from growing or becoming too strong.
A control or restriction that limits an action, behavior, or amount.
NOUN
B1
3
járdaszegély
B1
Usage pattern:
at the curb
He waited at the curb for his taxi to arrive.
A járdaszegélynél várta, hogy megérkezzen a taxija.
The car jumped the curb and hit a tree.
Az autó áthajtott a járdaszegélyen, és egy fának ütközött.
Please pull up to the curb so the passengers can get out.
She sat on the curb, tying her shoelaces.
Bicycles must not be left blocking the curb ramp.
Learner examples
The bus stopped at the curb.
A busz a járdaszegélynél állt meg.
Children stood on the curb and watched the parade.
A gyerekek a járdaszegélyen álltak, és nézték a felvonulást.
Be careful when you step off the curb.
He sat on the curb and called his friend.
The taxi waited by the curb in front of the hotel.
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up spelling: American English uses "curb"; British English usually uses "kerb" for the street edge. Also, some learners use "curb" to mean the whole sidewalk, but it is only the raised border between the road and the sidewalk.
Meaning
raised edge of a street
Collocations
step off the curb
|pull up to the curb
|park at the curb
|stand on the curb
|curb and gutter
Synonyms
kerb (British spelling of the same physical object; "curb" is the usual American spelling.)
Antonyms
roadway (Refers to the main driving surface, not the raised edge.)
Themes
transport
|city
|daily life
|transportation
|housing
Definition
The higher edge of the street next to the sidewalk.
The raised stone or concrete edge between a road and the sidewalk or pavement.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
álladzólánc
C2
álladzószíj
C2
Usage pattern:
a curb on [a horse’s bridle]
She checked the curb on the horse’s bridle before mounting.
Nyeregbe szállás előtt ellenőrizte a ló kantárján az álladzóláncot.
If the curb is too tight, it can cause the horse discomfort.
Ha az álladzólánc túl szoros, kényelmetlenséget okozhat a lónak.
This type of bit should always be used with a properly adjusted curb.
Learner examples
The trainer showed him how to loosen the curb.
Az edző megmutatta neki, hogyan lazítsa meg az álladzóláncot.
A strong curb can make the horse stop quickly.
Egy erős hatású álladzólánc gyorsan megállíthatja a lovat.
They bought a new curb chain for the horse.
Common mistake:
This sense is rare outside equestrian contexts. Learners sometimes misunderstand it as related to roads or general "control" when reading specialized horse-care texts.
Meaning
strap or chain on a horse’s bit
Collocations
tighten the curb
|curb chain
|curb bit
|adjust the curb
Synonyms
curb chain (More specific; refers to the chain part rather than any strap.)
Antonyms
bitless bridle (A type of bridle designed to avoid pressure from a bit or curb.)
Themes
animals
|sports
Definition
A strap or chain on a horse’s bit that helps the rider control the horse.
A strap or chain attached to a horse’s bit or bridle that puts pressure under the jaw to help control the horse’s head.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
to curb [a horse]
She curbed the horse firmly as it began to bolt.
Határozottan visszafogta a lovat a feszítőzablával, amikor az megugrott.
If you curb him too hard, he tosses his head.
Ha túl erősen fogod vissza a feszítőzablával, dobálja a fejét.
The trainer warned not to curb the mare suddenly.
Learner examples
He curbed the horse when it started to run.
Visszafogta a lovat a feszítőzablával, amikor az futni kezdett.
Do not curb the horse too strongly.
Ne fogd vissza túl erősen a lovat a feszítőzablával.
The rider curbed his horse before the jump.
Common mistake:
Learners might wrongly apply this sense to people, saying things like *"He curbed his friend"* to mean he controlled him. In everyday English, the general verb "curb" (sense 1) is used for controlling things; this technical horseback-riding sense is only for horses.
Meaning
to control a horse with a curb
Collocations
curb the horse
|curb him sharply
|curb with a bit
Synonyms
rein in (More general riding term; does not specifically mention a curb bit.)
Antonyms
give the horse its head (Equestrian expression meaning to let the horse move more freely without tight control.)
Themes
animals
|sports
Definition
To control a horse by pulling on the bit and curb so the horse feels pressure under its jaw.
To control a horse by applying pressure with a curb bit or curb chain.
Grammar
Dictionary form
curb
IPA
GB/kˈɚb/
US/kˈɚb/
Syllables & stress
curb (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (curb)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: curb
- Plural: curb, curbs
Verb
- Base: curb
- 3rd Person Singular: curbs
- Present Participle: curbing
- Past: curbed
Word family
Forms
curbs
noun
curbing
verb
curbed
verb
Related words
curbside
adjective
Expressions
curb appeal
1/kˈɚb əpˈil/
fixed phrase
attractiveness of a house from the street
How nice and attractive a house or building looks when you see it from the street.
Examples
- Planting flowers can really improve your home’s curb appeal.
- The apartment building has great curb appeal, but the inside is very old.
curb your appetite
1/kˈɚb jˈʊɹ ˈæpɪtˌaɪt/
fixed phrase
control your desire for food
To try to feel less hungry or to eat less food.
Examples
- Drink a glass of water before dinner to help curb your appetite.
- The medication is supposed to curb your appetite, but it didn’t work for me.
curb your enthusiasm
1/kˈɚb jˈʊɹ ɪnθˈuziˌæzəm/
fixed phrase
control your excitement
To stop yourself from being too excited or eager.
Examples
- You should curb your enthusiasm until the deal is actually signed.
- The teacher told the students to curb their enthusiasm and listen to the instructions.
kick someone to the curb
1/kˈɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn tə ðə kˈɚb/
idiom
informal
reject or get rid of someone
To completely reject someone or end a relationship with them, often in a cold or sudden way.
Examples
- After the scandal, the company kicked him to the curb.
- She finally kicked her cheating boyfriend to the curb.
curbside pickup
1/kˈɚbsˌaɪd pˈɪkˌʌp/
fixed phrase
collecting orders at store curb
A service where you stay in your car and store workers bring your order to you outside the store.
Examples
- The supermarket now offers free curbside pickup.
- The supermarket offers free curbside pickup for online orders.
- We chose curbside pickup instead of home delivery.
- During the pandemic, many restaurants started curbside pickup to stay open.
- Customers can select curbside pickup when ordering online.