# curse

> English word · Noun · IPA /kɜːs/ · frequency rank #6,351

## Definitions
1. A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
2. A prayer or imprecation that harm may befall someone.
3. The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.
4. A vulgar epithet.
5. A woman's menses.

## Etymology
From Middle English curse, kors, cors, curs, from Old English cors, curs (“curse”), of unknown origin.

## Easily confused with
- **cute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cute)
- **cuts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cuts)
- **curt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-curt)
- **cusp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cusp)
- **cuss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cuss)
- **curve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-curve)
- **cutie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cutie)
- **curvy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-curvy)
- **curves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-curves)
- **curved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-curved)
- **cursed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cursed)
- **curses** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-curses)
- **cursor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cursor)
- **cursive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/curse-vs-cursive)
- **cue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cue-vs-curse)
- **cur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cur-vs-curse)
- **CRS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crs-vs-curse)
- **CSE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cse-vs-curse)
- **care** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/care-vs-curse)
- **case** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/case-vs-curse)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ccurse`, `cruse`, `cures`, `currse`, `cursse`, `cusre`, `ucrse`

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