Inglês

curse

gb/kˈɚs/ us/kˈɚs/
B1 Inglês
~ 1300
Aceções
0 aceções
Verbo B1 action
1

Say offensive or obscene words

To say bad or rude words when you are angry or upset.

Padrão de uso: to curse [someone/something]
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'curse' with 'cuss'. 'Cuss' is informal and mostly American; 'curse' is more general.
Sinónimos
swear (Commonly used for speaking offensive or impolite words; often interchangeable.)
Antónimos
praise (Expressing approval or admiration instead of offensive language.)
Colocações
curse loudly |curse under breath |curse at someone
Temas
emotions |communication |daily life |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • He cursed loudly when he dropped his phone.
  • She cursed under her breath as she walked away.
  • The driver cursed at the car that cut him off.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • He cursed when he lost the game.
  • She cursed at the bad driver.
  • I heard him curse in the shop.
Verbo B2 action
2

Invoke supernatural harm on someone

To ask magic or a god to bring bad luck or harm to someone.

Padrão de uso: to curse [someone/something]
Erro comum:
Some learners confuse this meaning with simply saying bad words; here it means using magic or supernatural power.
Sinónimos
hex (Specifically refers to casting a spell for harm; more informal or folkloric.)
Antónimos
bless (To call upon divine favor instead of harm.)
Colocações
curse an enemy |curse the land |curse forever
Temas
supernatural |beliefs |religion |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • The witch cursed the prince to live as a frog.
  • They believed the old man had cursed their farm.
  • She cursed the thief who stole her necklace.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • The witch cursed the king.
  • He cursed the house with bad luck.
  • They think she cursed the village.
Nome B1 entity
3

Offensive word or phrase

A bad or rude word that people say when they are angry or upset.

Sinónimos
swear word (Most common informal term for an offensive word.)
Antónimos
compliment (A polite expression showing approval instead of offense.)
Colocações
shout curses |mutter curses |string of curses
Temas
communication |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • He shouted curses at the referee.
  • She muttered a curse as she left the room.
  • The air was filled with curses and angry shouts.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • He said a curse when he was angry.
  • She spoke a curse quietly.
  • They shouted curses at each other.
Nome B2 entity
4

Magical spell causing harm

Magic words that bring bad luck or harm to someone.

Sinónimos
hex (A magical spell causing harm; more informal or folkloric.)
Antónimos
blessing (A magical or divine act giving good fortune instead of harm.)
Colocações
ancient curse |break a curse |lift a curse
Temas
supernatural |beliefs |religion |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • The ancient curse was said to haunt the tomb.
  • Only true love could break the curse.
  • The hero's quest was to lift the curse from the kingdom.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • The old curse hurt the town.
  • He tried to break the curse.
  • They feared the witch's curse.
Nome B2 entity
5

Source of lasting trouble or harm

Something that brings a lot of problems for a long time.

Sinónimos
plague (Something that continually causes trouble; often metaphorical.)
Antónimos
blessing (Something that brings happiness instead of trouble.)
Colocações
curse of poverty |be a curse to someone
Temas
problems |core_vocabulary
Exemplos
  • Illiteracy is the curse of many rural areas.
  • For some athletes, fame can be a curse.
  • The disease became a curse for the entire community.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • Poverty is a curse for many people.
  • Fame can be a curse.
  • The war was a curse for the country.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
curse
IPA
GB/kˈɚs/
US/kˈɚs/
Sílabas e acento
curse (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (curse)
Formas da palavra
Noun
  • Base: curse
  • Plural: curses
Verb
  • Base: curse
  • 3rd Person Singular: curses
  • Present Participle: cursing
  • Past: cursed
Família de palavras
Forms
curses noun cursing verb cursed verb
Expressões

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.

Exemplos
  • 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.

Exemplos
  • 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.

Exemplos
  • 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.

Exemplos
  • 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.

Exemplos
  • The town seemed to be under a curse after years of disaster.
  • She felt her family was under a curse.

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