curse Definition
- 1a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something
- 2a cause of harm or misery
Using curse: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "curse" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The witch put a curse on him.
Example
He believes that he is under a curse.
Example
The curse of poverty has haunted them for generations.
curse Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for curse
Idioms Using curse
something that seems bad or unlucky at first, but results in something good happening later
Example
Losing his job turned out to be a blessing in disguise when he found a better one soon after. However, for some people, it can be a curse in disguise.
Example
The team finally broke the curse and won the championship after years of losing.
a phrase used to express a wish that bad things will happen to both sides in a conflict
Example
After the argument, she shouted 'a curse on both your houses!' and stormed out of the room.
Phrases with curse
curse word
a profane or obscene word
Example
He was scolded for using curse words in front of his grandmother.
the belief that those who disturb the mummy of an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh are cursed
Example
Many people believe that the curse of the pharaohs is real and that it has caused many deaths.
the difficulty of imagining what it is like not to know something that you do know
Example
The curse of knowledge makes it hard for experts to explain things to beginners.
Origins of curse
from Old English 'cursian', meaning 'to curse'
Summary: curse in Brief
The term 'curse' [kɜːs] refers to a solemn invocation of supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment, or a cause of harm or misery. It spans contexts from witchcraft to everyday life, exemplified by 'The curse of poverty has haunted them for generations.' 'Curse' extends into phrases like 'curse word,' and idioms like 'a blessing in disguise,' denoting a seemingly negative event that results in a positive outcome, and 'break the curse,' implying ending a run of bad luck.
