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DictionarycurseSwearing
noun / verb

curse

KURS/kɜːrs/

An utterance invoking harm or expressing hostile feeling.

An older woman utters a curse, making the other woman recoil.

An older woman angrily utters a curse toward another older woman, who recoils at the offensive remark.
Etymology
curseOld Englishprayer wishing harm

Old English curs meant a prayer that harm should befall someone. The word’s use broadened from invoking evil to uttering profane or offensive language; its deeper origin remains uncertain.

In context

Grey Heaven3:26
placed a curse upon the land, declaring that nobody would ever be able to settle Kulara again.
The Village That Was Abandoned Overnight | What Really Happened to Kuldhara?

More examples

  • She mutters a curse under her breath.
  • He cursed the driver who splashed mud on his shoes.
  • She shouts a curse at the thief: “May you lose everything!”

Forms

curse · curses · cursed · cursing

Similar words

insult
Attacks people’s dignity rather than calling for harm to them.
profanity
Emphasizes offensive or irreverent language rather than wishing harm.