2 syllables: cur, ses. Stress on cur.
/ˈkɜːrzɪz/
Say it backCurses refers to words or phrases spoken to express anger, annoyance, or wish harm, often as a form of insult or exclamation. It can also denote the act of invoking supernatural harm, typically in religious or folklore contexts. As a plural noun (and sometimes a verb form “curses”), it centers on the utterance itself rather than any physical action. The term spans everyday expletives to ritualized invocations, depending on usage.
"He muttered curses under his breath after the computer froze."
"The old superstition warned that curses could be passed down through generations."
"In the play, the hero’s curses reveal his frustration more than his bravery."
Pronounce as /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/ in American English, with primary stress on the first syllable. In UK and AU accents you’ll hear /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/; the r-coloring of the /ɜː/ vowel may be less pronounced in non-rhotic varieties. The final -es is pronounced as a voiced z /z/, blending quickly with the preceding /ɪ/ to form /ɪz/. Mouth position: start with an open-mid back unrounded vowel, tongue high-mid retracted, then a clear /s/ or /z/ at the end; avoid an extra syllable. Audio references: Cambridge or Forvo pronunciations align with /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/ in US, /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/ in UK/AU.
Two main pitfalls: misplacing the /ɜː/ or reducing it to schwa in rapid speech, yielding /ˈkɚ.sɪz/ or /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/ inconsistently; and inserting an unnecessary extra syllable like /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/ with an overemphasized /r/. To correct, keep the /ɜː/ as a tense, mid-back vowel without trailing r-color in non-rhotic accents; ensure the /r/ is not overly pronounced in UK/AU; and finalize firmly with /z/. Use minimal pairs: curses vs curs-es.” ,
US English: rhotic /r/ is pronounced; vowel /ɜː/ is more back and tense; final /z/ is voiced. UK/AU: non-rhotic or lightly rhotic; /r/ may be silent; /ɜː/ is longer and fronter or backer depending on region; final /z/ remains. In AU you may hear a slightly lighter /s/ vs /z/ merge, but final /z/ is common. In all, the main difference is rhoticity and vowel length quality; stress remains on first syllable. References: IPA transcriptions align with US /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/, UK/AU /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/.
The difficulty lies in the final /z/ cluster after a tense, mid vowel, especially in rapid speech or among non-native speakers who habitually merge /ɜː/ with /ɪ/ or drop the r-coloring. Also, the /ɜː/ vowel can be tricky when learners expect a pure /ɜ/ or confuse it with /ɪ/. Tension in tongue, lips, and jaw is subtle but essential for the distinct /ɜː/ and the voicing of /z/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps isolate the segments and maintain correct tongue position.
No, there are no silent letters in the standard pronunciation of curses. The plural ending behaves as a voiced /z/ after the /s/ consonant, so both the /s/ and the final /z/ are heard in sequence: /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/. The tricky part is producing the /ɜː/ vowel clearly and transitioning smoothly into the /z/ without a hiatus or extra vowel. Focus on keeping the first syllable stressed and the second short and clipped.
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US: emphasize rhotic /r/, keep /ɜː/ as a strong mid-back vowel; UK: may be non-rhotic, weaker r-coloring, /ɜː/ lengthened; AU: tends toward clear non-rhotic, rhotic influence varies, maintain the /ɜː/ quality but with less r-color in many speakers. Vowels: US /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/ with clear /r/; UK /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/ (non-rhotic); AU /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/ similar to UK but with slight vowel sharpening. Consonants: /s/ and /z/ are crisp; avoid letting the /ɜː/ bleed into /s/. IPA references: US /ˈkɜːr.sɪz/, UK/AU /ˈkɜːs.ɪz/. Practice: exaggerate the first syllable vowel, then quickly transition to the /s/ and /z/.
Curses originates from the Old English word cursian, meaning to swear or imprecate. The root curs- is linked to guilt and calling down, with cognates in Dutch kussen (to curse) and German verburkunden. Its Latin ancestor, jurare, influenced related terms regarding swearing oaths, but curses as expletives solidified in Middle English by 12th–15th centuries, aligning with religious and magical contexts—where a curse was a ritualized invocation of harm or misfortune. By the Early Modern English period, curses had expanded to everyday profanity and strong expressions of anger. The word’s semantic field broadened as literature and pop culture portrayed curses as both crude, secular language and as mystical or supernatural malevolent spells. In contemporary usage, “curse” can function as a noun for a profane utterance or as a verb: to utter curses, or to curse someone. The plural form remains common in both senses, sometimes shifting emphasis from a single utterance to a collection of invective statements. First known use is attested in medieval English texts; by the 16th century, printed collections began systematizing curses in moral and legal discourses.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "curses" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "curses" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "curses"
-ses sounds
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