# cur

> English word · Noun · IPA /kɜː/ · frequency rank #31,941

## Definitions
1. A contemptible or inferior dog.
2. A detestable person.
3. A sheepdog or watchdog.

## Etymology
From Middle English curre (“watchdog, small hunting dog, mongrel, mutt”), perhaps of Middle Low German or North Germanic origin. Compare Middle Dutch corre (“domestic dog, yard dog, watch-dog”), dialectal Dutch korre (“dog, yard dog”), dialectal Swedish kurre (“a dog”). Compare also Old Norse kurra (“to growl; grumble”), Middle Low German kurren, korren (“to growl”). Compare also Middle Dutch querie (“female dog, bitch”).

## Easily confused with
- **CV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cv)
- **CW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cw)
- **CX** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cx)
- **cz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cz)
- **cut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cut)
- **cuz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cuz)
- **CVS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cvs)
- **CVD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cvd)
- **cute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cute)
- **cuts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cuts)
- **cure** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cure)
- **curb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curb)
- **curl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curl)
- **curt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curt)
- **cusp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cusp)
- **czar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-czar)
- **curd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curd)
- **cuss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-cuss)
- **curve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curve)
- **curse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curse)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cur