cuss
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to swear at; curse.
He cussed the pedestrian for getting in his way.
-
to criticize or reprimand in harsh terms (often followed byout ).
The coach cussed out the team for losing.
noun
-
a person or animal.
a strange but likable cuss.
noun
-
a curse; oath
-
a person or animal, esp an annoying one
verb
Other Word Forms
- cusser noun
Etymology
Origin of cuss
An Americanism first recorded in 1765–75; variant of curse, with loss of r and shortening of vowel, as in ass 2, bass 2, passel, etc.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This made me so mad I came close to cussing a little.
From Literature
“There’s always going be someone that doesn’t like me, and I’m okay with that now. I am who I am. I cuss. I love God. I’m a little bit of everything.”
From Los Angeles Times
He added: "Wasn't disrespectful because my mom didn't raise me that way. Didn't cuss. Still trying to figure it out."
From BBC
“I mean, he kind of cusses sometimes,” Rios said.
From Los Angeles Times
“They don’t need to learn how to cuss.”
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
