curse
gb/kˈɚs/ us/kˈɚs/
B1
English
~ 1300
káromkodik, megátkoz, szitokszó, csúnya szó, szitok, átok, rontás, csapás
VERB
B1
1
káromkodik
B1
Usage pattern:
to curse [someone/something]
He cursed loudly when he dropped his phone.
Hangosan káromkodott, amikor leejtette a telefonját.
She cursed under her breath as she walked away.
Az orra alatt káromkodott, miközben elment.
The driver cursed at the car that cut him off.
Learner examples
He cursed when he lost the game.
Káromkodott, amikor elvesztette a meccset.
She cursed at the bad driver.
Káromkodott a rossz sofőr miatt.
I heard him curse in the shop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'curse' with 'cuss'. 'Cuss' is informal and mostly American; 'curse' is more general.
Meaning
Say offensive or obscene words
Collocations
curse loudly
|curse under breath
|curse at someone
Synonyms
swear (Commonly used for speaking offensive or impolite words; often interchangeable.)
Antonyms
praise (Expressing approval or admiration instead of offensive language.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say bad or rude words when you are angry or upset.
To utter offensive, obscene, or profane words, especially in anger or frustration.
VERB
B2
2
megátkoz
B2
Usage pattern:
to curse [someone/something]
The witch cursed the prince to live as a frog.
A boszorkány megátkozta a herceget, hogy békaként éljen.
They believed the old man had cursed their farm.
Azt hitték, az öregember megátkozta a farmjukat.
She cursed the thief who stole her necklace.
Learner examples
The witch cursed the king.
A boszorkány megátkozta a királyt.
He cursed the house with bad luck.
Balszerencsével átkozta meg a házat.
They think she cursed the village.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this meaning with simply saying bad words; here it means using magic or supernatural power.
Meaning
Invoke supernatural harm on someone
Collocations
curse an enemy
|curse the land
|curse forever
Synonyms
hex (Specifically refers to casting a spell for harm; more informal or folkloric.)
Antonyms
bless (To call upon divine favor instead of harm.)
Themes
supernatural
|beliefs
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To ask magic or a god to bring bad luck or harm to someone.
To call upon a supernatural power to cause harm, trouble, or misfortune to someone or something.
NOUN
B1
3
He shouted curses at the referee.
Szitkokat kiabált a játékvezető felé.
She muttered a curse as she left the room.
Elmormolt egy szitokszót, amikor kilépett a szobából.
The air was filled with curses and angry shouts.
Learner examples
He said a curse when he was angry.
Mondott egy szitokszót, amikor dühös volt.
She spoke a curse quietly.
Halkan kimondott egy szitokszót.
They shouted curses at each other.
Meaning
Offensive word or phrase
Collocations
shout curses
|mutter curses
|string of curses
Synonyms
swear word (Most common informal term for an offensive word.)
Antonyms
compliment (A polite expression showing approval instead of offense.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A bad or rude word that people say when they are angry or upset.
An offensive, obscene, or profane word or phrase.
NOUN
B2
4
The ancient curse was said to haunt the tomb.
Azt mondták, az ősi átok kísérti a sírboltot.
Only true love could break the curse.
Csak az igaz szerelem törhette meg az átkot.
The hero's quest was to lift the curse from the kingdom.
Learner examples
The old curse hurt the town.
A régi átok szenvedést hozott a városra.
He tried to break the curse.
Megpróbálta megtörni az átkot.
They feared the witch's curse.
Meaning
Magical spell causing harm
Collocations
ancient curse
|break a curse
|lift a curse
Synonyms
hex (A magical spell causing harm; more informal or folkloric.)
Antonyms
blessing (A magical or divine act giving good fortune instead of harm.)
Themes
supernatural
|beliefs
|religion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Magic words that bring bad luck or harm to someone.
A magical spell or invocation intended to cause harm, misfortune, or punishment.
NOUN
B2
5
Illiteracy is the curse of many rural areas.
Az írástudatlanság sok vidéki térség átka.
For some athletes, fame can be a curse.
Egyes sportolók számára a hírnév átok is lehet.
The disease became a curse for the entire community.
Learner examples
Poverty is a curse for many people.
A szegénység sok ember számára átok.
Fame can be a curse.
A hírnév átok is lehet.
The war was a curse for the country.
Meaning
Source of lasting trouble or harm
Collocations
curse of poverty
|be a curse to someone
Synonyms
plague (Something that continually causes trouble; often metaphorical.)
Antonyms
blessing (Something that brings happiness instead of trouble.)
Themes
problems
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that brings a lot of problems for a long time.
A cause of long-lasting trouble, suffering, or harm, often used figuratively.
Grammar
Dictionary form
curse
IPA
GB/kˈɚs/
US/kˈɚs/
Syllables & stress
curse (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (curse)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: curse
- Plural: curses
Verb
- Base: curse
- 3rd Person Singular: curses
- Present Participle: cursing
- Past: cursed
Word family
Forms
curses
noun
cursing
verb
cursed
verb
Expressions
a blessing and a curse
1/ə blˈɛsɪŋ ˈænd ə kˈɚs/
idiom
Has good and bad effects together
Something that is good in some ways but bad in other ways.
Examples
- Fame is both a blessing and a curse for many celebrities.
- Technology can be a blessing and a curse for society.
break the curse
1/bɹˈeɪk ðə kˈɚs/
fixed phrase
End magical or lasting harm
To stop a magic spell or long-lasting problem from causing more harm.
Examples
- The hero set out to break the curse on the castle.
- Scientists hope to break the curse of this deadly disease.
curse like a sailor
1/kˈɚs lˈaɪk ə sˈeɪlɚ/
idiom
informal
Use many bad words often and strongly
To say many rude words very often and strongly.
Examples
- He curses like a sailor when he's playing video games.
- Don't mind her—she curses like a sailor when she's stressed.
put a curse on [someone]
1/pˈʊt ə kˈɚs ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Use magic to harm someone
To say magic words to make something bad happen to someone.
Examples
- The villagers believed the woman had put a curse on their crops.
- He claimed his rival had put a curse on him.
under a curse
1/ˈʌndɚ ə kˈɚs/
fixed phrase
Affected by magic or lasting harm
Being controlled by magic or suffering from a long-lasting problem.
Examples
- The town seemed to be under a curse after years of disaster.
- She felt her family was under a curse.