curfew

cur·few

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [kur-fyoo]
- /ˈkɜr fyu/
- /ˈkɜː.fjuː/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kur-fyoo]
- /ˈkɜr fyu/

Definitions of curfew word

variable noun curfew A curfew is a law stating that people must stay inside their houses after a particular time at night, for example during a war. 3
noun curfew an official regulation setting restrictions on movement, esp after a specific time at night 3
noun curfew the time set as a deadline by such a regulation 3
noun curfew the ringing of a bell to prompt people to extinguish fires and lights 3
noun curfew the time at which the curfew bell was rung 3
noun curfew the bell itself 3

See all 28 definitions of curfew

Information block about the term

Origin of curfew

First appearance:

before 1250

One of the 11% oldest English words

1250-1300; Middle English < Anglo-French coverfeu, Old French covrefeu literally, (it) covers (the) fire. See cover, focus

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Curfew

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Curfew

curfew popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 85% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

curfew usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for curfew

noun curfew

time limit — a period of time within which an action or procedure must be done or completed.
limit — the final, utmost, or furthest boundary or point as to extent, amount, continuance, procedure, etc.: the limit of his experience; the limit of vision.
restriction — something that restricts; a restrictive condition or regulation; limitation.
deadline — A deadline is a time or date before which a particular task must be finished or a particular thing must be done.
limitation — a limiting condition; restrictive weakness; lack of capacity; inability or handicap: He knows his limitations as a writer.

All 7 Synonyms of curfew