cursing
cursing — verb
- cursingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- cursings3rd person singular
- cursinging-ing form
- cursingedpast simple
1. to say rude or shocking words, usually because anger or frustration makes you lo
to say rude or shocking words, usually because anger or frustration makes you lose control of your speech
Niran was cursing when the jar slipped and broke on the floor.
be cursing for ongoing angry speech
After missing the bus, Isabela stood at the stop cursing softly.
The mechanic kept cursing under his breath as the bolt refused to move.
Please stop cursing in front of the younger children.
- swear
the most common everyday synonym
- cuss
informal, especially in American English
- use bad language
a polite way to describe the behavior
- speak politely
to use respectful, non-offensive language
文法句型
be cursing
keep cursing
cursing at [someone]
用法筆記
Usually intransitive. Add 'at' when you name the person who hears the bad language. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on the rude words themselves, not on blaming a target.
2. to talk or think about a person with fierce anger, often pouring harsh blame on
to talk or think about a person with fierce anger, often pouring harsh blame on them
Hamza spent the evening cursing the landlord for the leak above his bed.
cursing [someone] for [reason]
Sophia sat in traffic, cursing the driver who blocked the narrow lane.
On the walk home, Beatrix was cursing herself for sending the email early.
Fans were cursing the referee after the late decision changed the match.
文法句型
be cursing [someone]
cursing [someone] for [something]
cursing yourself for [something]
用法筆記
Usually takes the blamed person or thing as a direct object. Distinguish from sense 3: here the anger is aimed outward at a target, not backward at an event you regret.
3. to react to an event or decision with angry regret, wishing it had not happened
to react to an event or decision with angry regret, wishing it had not happened or had gone differently
Christopher is still cursing the day he sold the family bakery.
pattern: cursing the day + clause
Tanvi stood outside the gate, cursing her luck after the lost passport.
cursing your luck
Eshe left the field cursing the storm that ruined the picnic.
Eitan kept cursing himself for not checking the train schedule earlier.
- lament
more formal and less angry
- rue
literary; focuses on regret rather than spoken anger
- regret bitterly
plain-English paraphrase of the sense
文法句型
be cursing your luck
cursing the day + clause
cursing yourself for [something]
用法筆記
Common objects are luck, the day, a decision, or yourself. Unlike sense 2, the feeling here includes regret about something that has already happened.
4. to use ritual words meant to place misfortune or harm on a person, place, or thi
to use ritual words meant to place misfortune or harm on a person, place, or thing
In the tale, a jealous queen is cursing the baby with endless sleep.
cursing [someone] with [harm]
Villagers feared the widow was cursing the well during the drought.
The witch stood by the gate, cursing the prince before dawn.
The sailor believed the necklace was cursing everyone who touched it.
- hex
short, common word for putting harmful magic on someone
- bewitch
broader word for affecting someone by magic; not always harmful
- cast a spell on
broader phrase that can be good or bad, not only harmful
- bless
to call for good rather than harm
文法句型
be cursing [someone]
cursing [place or object]
cursing [someone] with [harm]
用法筆記
Used mostly in myths, fantasy stories, and older folklore rather than in everyday conversation.
cursing — noun
1. the act of using rude, offensive language instead of speaking politely
the act of using rude, offensive language instead of speaking politely
Loud cursing came from the garage after the tool box fell open.
uncountable noun: hear cursing
The coach banned cursing during practice, even after a bad mistake.
ban cursing
The little boy copied the cursing he heard on the bus.
We could hear cursing through the apartment wall late at night.
- swearing
the closest everyday synonym
- profanity
more formal and often used in writing
- bad language
polite everyday phrase
- polite speech
language that avoids offense
文法句型
hear cursing
ban cursing
loud cursing
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when it means the behavior itself. In more formal contexts, speakers often use 'bad language' instead.
2. the act of calling supernatural harm down on a person, place, or object
the act of calling supernatural harm down on a person, place, or object
The villagers feared her cursing more than the winter storm.
fear her cursing
In the play, cursing begins after the stolen crown is found.
The king ordered the priest to stop the cursing at once.
Old songs warned that cursing could follow a broken marriage promise.
- hexing
informal word for putting harmful magic on someone
- spell-casting
broader term; not always harmful
- blessing
calling for good fortune instead of harm
文法句型
stop the cursing
fear her cursing
cursing in a legend
用法筆記
Mostly found in stories, folklore, or older writing about magic rather than in ordinary modern conversation.