curse

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (also cuss) [C] a rude or offensive word or phrase that some people use when they are very angry: He muttered a curse at the other driver. 2 [C] a word or phrase that has a magic power to make sth bad happen: The family thought that they were under a curse. compareHEX 3 [C] something that causes harm or evil: the curse of drug addiction * Noise is a curse of modern city life. 4 (the curse) [sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) MENSTRUATION verb 1 [V] to swear: He hit his head as he stood up and cursed loudly. 2 [VN] ~ (sb/sth) (for sth) to say rude things to sb or think rude things about sb/sth: She cursed her bad luck. * He cursed himself for his stupidity. 3 [VN] to use a magic word or phrase against sb in order to harm them: Legend has it that the whole village had been cursed by a witch. compareHEX PHRASALVERBS be cursed with sth to continuously suffer from or be affected by sth bad: She seems cursed with bad luck.