Curfew Meaning
/ˈkɜː.fjuː/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.
nounThe time when such restriction begins.
Sentence Examples
Are you going to pull curfew on me?
A curfew was imposed on the city.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Teens must be home by ten because the town has a strict ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Are you going to pull ____ on me?
Word Origin & History
From Middle English curfu, from Old French cuevre-fu (French couvre-feu), from the imperative of covrir (“to cover”) + fu (“fire”). Compare kerchief.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Curfews have been curbing / The end of liberty"
— 1981, “This Is Radio Clash”, performed by The Clash:
"Localities across New Jersey imposed curfews to prevent looting. In Monmouth, Ocean and other counties, people waited for hours for gasoline at the few stations that had electricity. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare."
— 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, “Hurricane Sandy”, in New York Times, retrieved 31 Oct 2012:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Teens must be home by ten because the town has a strict ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Are you going to pull ____ on me?