Usage and Pronunciation of 'accursed'

Teacher Gu's English Class

Overview Meanings Pronunciation Usage Practice

accursed

/əˈkɜːrst/
Adjective Literary term

Basic definition:Under a curse; doomed to evil or misfortune

Etymology:From Old English ācursod, past participle of ācursian ("to curse")

📚 Core Meanings

Literary curse

Subject to a curse or doomed to evil

The accursed treasure brought misfortune.
The cursed treasure brought misfortune.
Literature

Detestable

Deserving of or bringing hatred

That accursed noise kept me awake.
That hateful noise kept me awake.
Colloquial

Unfortunate

Marked by misfortune or bad luck

His accursed fate was sealed.
His unlucky fate was sealed.
Dramatic

"accursed" is primarily used in literary contexts or for dramatic effect. In modern speech, "cursed" is more common.

🔄 Usage Comparison

English Examples

The accursed castle stood abandoned.

She fled from the accursed place.

This accursed weather ruined our plans.

Chinese Translation

The cursed castle stood abandoned.

She fled from the damned place.

This wretched weather ruined our plans.

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

British Pronunciation

/əˈkɜːst/

uh-KURST (stress on "KUR")

American Pronunciation

/əˈkɜːrst/

uh-KURST (stress on "KUR")

Pronunciation Tips:

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing as "a-CURS-ed" (should be /əˈkɜːrst/)
  • Stressing the first syllable
  • Omitting the /r/ sound in American English

🎯 Common Collocations

accursed + object

Describing cursed items

accursed treasure
cursed treasure
Literary

the accursed + noun

Referring to hated things

the accursed day
the damned day
Dramatic

accursed + fate

Describing misfortune

accursed fate
ill-fated destiny
Poetic

Grammar Notes

Comparative: more accursed
Superlative: most accursed

⚠️ Common Confusions

Don't confuse:

Accursed means blessed. (Wrong)

Correct:Accursed means cursed.

Accursed is a modern slang term. (Wrong)

Correct:Accursed is primarily literary/archaic.

✍️ Practice Exercises

Translation Practice

1. The accursed sword brought doom.
2. This accursed place gives me chills.
3. They fled from the accursed city.

1. The cursed sword brought doom.

2. This damned place gives me chills.

3. They fled from the doomed city.

Pronunciation Practice

Repeat these sentences:

• The accursed artifact was hidden. [əˈkɜːrst]
• That accursed cat keeps me awake. [əˈkɜːrst]
• His accursed luck never improved. [əˈkɜːrst]

Correction Exercise

Find and correct errors:

1. Accursed means fortunate.
2. Pronounced [ˈækɜːrsed]
3. Accursed is a modern compliment.

1. Accursed means cursed.

2. Pronounced [əˈkɜːrst] (stress on second syllable)

3. Accursed is a literary term for cursed.