cuss
/kʌs/ (bre, ipa) · /kʌs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkəs/ (ame, mw)
cuss — verb
- cusspresent simple I / you / we / they
- cusseshe / she / it
- cussedpast simple
- cussing-ing form
1. to express anger or annoyance by saying words that most people consider socially
to express anger or annoyance by saying words that most people consider socially unacceptable.
Hiroshi cussed loudly when the store sold the last tickets before he reached the counter.
cuss + adverb (loudly) to add intensity
The taxi driver cussed at a cyclist who swerved right in front of the cab.
cuss at + person/thing being sworn at
Mei never cusses in front of her grandmother, no matter how angry she feels.
Diego cussed his luck after locking his keys inside the rental car at the beach.
When the power went out during the final match, the whole crowd started cussing.
- swear
more standard and less regional than 'cuss'; used in both British and American English
- curse
slightly more formal and can have religious overtones ('curse God')
- use bad language
a broader phrase that includes any kind of offensive speech, not just swearing in anger
文法句型
cuss (at someone/something)
cuss + abstract noun (luck, fate)
用法筆記
Intransitive use ('cuss at someone') is more common than transitive use ('cuss someone'). The transitive pattern is limited to abstract objects like 'luck', 'fate', or 'the weather'.
常見錯誤
cuss — noun
- cusssingular
- cussesplural
1. an informal term for a person who is difficult to deal with, unpleasant, or bad-
an informal term for a person who is difficult to deal with, unpleasant, or bad-tempered.
The old man down the street is a stubborn cuss who refuses to sell his house.
stubborn cuss — adjective + cuss describing a difficult person
My neighbor is a mean cuss who yells at children for playing on the grass.
Grandpa called the new shopkeeper an ornery cuss after they argued about the price.
Don't be such a cranky cuss — the wait is only five more minutes.
文法句型
[adjective] + cuss
用法筆記
Almost always appears with an adjective modifier. Common adjectives include 'stubborn', 'mean', 'ornery', 'cranky', 'tough'. Rarely used without a descriptor.
常見錯誤
2. a word that is considered offensive or rude, used especially when someone is ang
a word that is considered offensive or rude, used especially when someone is angry.
The teacher told the class not to use any cuss words in their presentations.
cuss word — common compound noun
Elena accidentally let a cuss slip out when she bumped her knee against the desk.
let a cuss slip — informal expression for accidentally swearing
Kids often repeat cuss words they hear at home without understanding their meaning.
The movie was full of cuss words, so the parents decided not to let their children watch it.
- swear word
the standard term in both British and American English
- curse word
also common, slightly milder in tone
- profanity
more formal; refers to the category rather than individual words
文法句型
cuss word
let a cuss slip
用法筆記
The compound form 'cuss word' is far more common than 'cuss' used alone as a countable noun. In British English, 'swear word' is the standard equivalent.
常見錯誤
3. a way of referring to a man or boy, especially an older one who seems unusual or
a way of referring to a man or boy, especially an older one who seems unusual or memorable in some way.
That old cuss by the river has been fishing there every morning for forty years.
old cuss — the most common fixed phrase for an elderly man
Kwame's grandfather was a tough old cuss who had traveled all over the world.
The strange cuss in a dusty hat walked into the diner and ordered black coffee.
Nobody knew where the quiet old cuss came from when he moved into the empty cabin.
文法句型
[adjective] + old cuss
[adjective] + cuss
用法筆記
Strongly associated with rural and Southern US dialects. Almost always paired with an adjective, most frequently 'old'. Use with non-US audiences may not be understood.