Cur — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun abbreviation /ˈkər/

Meaning & Definition of Cur

Cur (noun)

  1. a mongrel or inferior dog
  2. a medium-sized hunting and working dog with a short coat that was developed in the southern U.S. and is sometimes considered to comprise one or more breeds
  3. a surly or cowardly fellow

Cur (abbreviation)

  1. currency
  2. current

Cur (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who shows a shameful lack of courage in the face of danger

    "denounced as curs those police officers who deserted their posts during the hurricane and its aftermath"

    similar: chicken, coward, craven, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy
    related: defeatist, quitter, cream puff, milquetoast, pushover, pussy (slang), weakling, wimp, caitiff, snake, sneak, ostrich, scaramouch
    opposite: hero, stalwart, valiant
    near: daredevil

  2. a person whose behavior is offensive to others

    "only a cur would abandon friends in their time of need"

    similar: bastard, beast, bleeder (British), blighter (chiefly British), boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, creep, cretin, crud (slang), crumb (slang), dirtbag (slang), dog, fink, heel, hound, jerk, joker, louse, lout, pill, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, schmuck (slang), scum, scumbag (slang), scuzzball (slang), skunk, sleaze, sleazebag (slang), sleazeball (slang), slime, slimeball (slang), slob, snake, so-and-so, sod (chiefly British), stinkard, stinker, swine, toad, varmint, vermin, son of a gun
    related: barbarian, brute, caveman, Neanderthal, savage, loudmouth, vulgarian, lowlife, miscreant, rascal, rogue, roughneck, scab, scamp, scoundrel, villain, wretch, booby, doofus (slang), fool, jackass, nincompoop, ninny, nit (chiefly British), nitwit, nut, schmo (slang), airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, dink (slang), dolt, dope, dork (slang), goon, half-wit, idiot, imbecile, moron, turkey, brat, insolent, nuisance, pest, snip, snob, snoot, snot, dweeb (slang), nerd
    near: hero, heroine, idol, role model, gentleman, lady, angel, saint

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cur

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cur:

Slang: crud, crumb, dirtbag, schmuck, scumbag, scuzzball, sleazebag, sleazeball, slimeball
Chiefly British: blighter, sod
British: bleeder
chicken, coward, craven, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy, bastard, beast, boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, creep, cretin, dog, fink, heel, hound, jerk, joker, louse, lout, pill, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, scum, skunk, sleaze, slime, slob, snake, so-and-so

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cur

Words with the opposite meaning of Cur:

hero, stalwart, valiant

Related Words for Cur

defeatist, quitter, cream puff, milquetoast, pushover, pussy, weakling, wimp, caitiff, sneak, ostrich, scaramouch, barbarian, brute, caveman, Neanderthal, savage, loudmouth, vulgarian, lowlife, miscreant, rascal, rogue, roughneck, scab, scamp, scoundrel, villain, wretch, booby

Near Antonyms of Cur

daredevil, heroine, idol, role model, gentleman, lady, angel, saint

Origin & Etymology of Cur

Middle English, short for curdogge, from Middle English *curren to growl (perhaps from Old Norse kurra to grumble) + Middle English dogge dog

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Cur

What does "Cur" mean?

"Cur" means a mongrel or inferior dog. As an a noun and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a mongrel or inferior dog. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cur"?

Other words for "Cur" include chicken, coward, craven, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant and sissy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cur" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cur"?

There are 121 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cur". Common alternatives include chicken, coward, craven, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy, bastard and beast.

What is a slang word for "Cur"?

Slang words for "Cur" include crud, crumb, dirtbag, schmuck, scumbag and scuzzball.

What is the opposite of "Cur"?

Antonyms of "Cur" include hero, stalwart and valiant. Near antonyms include daredevil, heroine, idol and role model.

How do you use "Cur" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cur" in a sentence: "denounced as curs those police officers who deserted their posts during the hurricane and its aftermath"; "only a cur would abandon friends in their time of need".

Is "Cur" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cur" can be used as a noun and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Cur"?

"Cur" is pronounced /ˈkər/.