1 B2 idiomatic slang
To angrily shout insults and profanity at someone.
"The coach cussed out the referee after the controversial penalty decision."
separable
cuss out
B2 slang separable transitive
To verbally attack someone using a lot of swear words and angry insults.
In plain English
To shout a lot of very rude, angry words at someone.
What does "cuss out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To cuss (swear) at someone thoroughly.
Actually means
To shout a lot of very rude, angry words at someone.
Usage tip
Distinctly American English. Common in everyday informal speech. The emphasis is on the use of profanity ('cuss' is an American informal word for 'curse'). Slightly more colorful and informal than 'curse out'.
Words that pair with "cuss out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
referee driver neighbor publicly teammate boss
How to conjugate "cuss out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
cuss out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cusses out
he/she/it
Past simple
cussed out
yesterday
Past participle
cussed out
have + pp
-ing form
cussing out
continuous
Hear "cuss out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "cuss out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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