Curb vs. Kerb — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 3, 2024
Curb refers to the edge of the sidewalk or a restraint, while kerb is its British spelling, primarily denoting the stone edging of a pavement or street.
Difference Between Curb and Kerb
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Key Differences
Curb is primarily used in American English to describe the edge of the sidewalk made of concrete, stone, or metal that borders the street, providing a boundary between pedestrian areas and the roadway. On the other hand, kerb is the British English term for the same structure, emphasizing the variety in spelling across English dialects.
While curb can also metaphorically signify a restriction or control over something, such as curbing one's appetite or spending, kerb does not commonly carry this connotation. The use of kerb remains more physically oriented, specifically towards street architecture.
In American urban planning and construction, the term curb is frequently encountered in regulations, design documents, and discussions regarding pedestrian safety and traffic control. Kerb, in contrast, is used within the same contexts within the UK, Australia, and other countries following British English conventions, highlighting regional linguistic preferences.
The pronunciation of curb and kerb is identical, making the distinction solely a matter of spelling. However, this minor difference underscores the broader variations in American and British English, particularly in terms that evolved separately in each dialect.
Curb's broader application, including its figurative use, reflects the flexibility of American English in adopting terms for multiple meanings. Meanwhile, kerb, sticking closely to its original physical meaning, illustrates the more traditional approach of British English to word usage.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling & Usage
American English, used both literally and metaphorically.
British English, primarily used in a literal sense.
Meaning
Edge of a sidewalk or a restraint/control over something.
Specifically refers to the stone edging of a pavement or street.
Pronunciation
/kɜːrb/
/kɜːrb/
Contextual Application
Urban planning, pedestrian safety, and metaphorical constraints.
Urban planning and pedestrian safety in British English-speaking regions.
Figurative Use
Common (e.g., curbing enthusiasm).
Rare or non-existent.
Compare with Definitions
Curb
Edge of a sidewalk.
She tripped on the curb and sprained her ankle.
Kerb
Stone edging of a pavement.
He parked his car close to the kerb.
Curb
A restraint or control.
The new policy aims to put a curb on illegal parking.
Kerb
Boundary between road and pavement.
The kerb was painted yellow to indicate no parking.
Curb
Bordering element.
The granite curbs delineated the historic district.
Kerb
A raised edge.
The new kerb improvements have enhanced pedestrian safety.
Curb
A check or hindrance.
They implemented new rules as a curb against excessive noise.
Kerb
Physical limit of the sidewalk.
Cyclists should be cautious not to hit the kerb.
Curb
Limiting factor.
Budget constraints acted as a curb on the project's scope.
Kerb
Part of street infrastructure.
The city plans to replace old kerbs in the downtown area.
Curb
A curb (North American English), or kerb (Commonwealth English except Canada; see spelling differences), is the edge where a raised sidewalk or road median/central reservation meets a street or other roadway.
Kerb
A stone edging to a pavement or raised path.
Curb
A check or restraint on something
Plans to introduce tougher curbs on insider dealing
Kerb
Variant of curb.
Curb
A type of bit with a strap or chain attached which passes under a horse's lower jaw, used as a check.
Kerb
The raised edge between the pavement and the roadway, typically made of concrete though originally consisting of a line of kerbstones.
Curb
Variant spelling of kerb
Kerb
A stone ring built to enclose and sometimes revet the cairn or barrow built over a chamber tomb.
Curb
A swelling on the back of a horse's hock, caused by spraining a ligament.
Kerb
To damage vehicle wheels or tyres by running into or over a pavement kerb.
Curb
Restrain or keep in check
She promised she would curb her temper
Kerb
To take a dog to the kerb for the purpose of evacuating.
Curb
Lead (a dog being walked) near the curb to urinate or defecate, in order to avoid soiling buildings, pavements, etc.
Kerb
See Curb.
Curb
A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
Kerb
An edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
Curb
An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
Curb
A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.
Curb
Something that checks or restrains
High interest rates put a curb on spending.
Curb
A chain or strap that passes under a horse's lower jaw and serves in conjunction with the bit to restrain the horse.
Curb
A market, originally on a street or sidewalk, for trading securities that are not listed on a stock exchange.
Curb
To check, restrain, or control (an impulse or activity, for example); rein in.
Curb
To prevent (a person or group) from doing something or acting in a certain way.
Curb
To lead (a dog) off the sidewalk into the gutter so that it can excrete waste.
Curb
To furnish with a curb.
Curb
A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand)
Curb
A raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening.
Curb
Something that checks or restrains; a restraint.
Curb
A riding or driving bit for a horse that has rein action which amplifies the pressure in the mouth by leverage advantage placing pressure on the poll via the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove via a curb chain.
Curb
(North America) A sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers.
Curb
A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness.
Curb
(transitive) To check, restrain or control.
Curb your dog
Curb
(transitive) To rein in.
Curb
(transitive) To furnish with a curb, as a well; to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth.
Curb
Ellipsis of curb stomp
Curb
(transitive) To bring to a stop beside a curb.
Curb
(transitive) To damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb.
Curb
(transitive) To bend or curve.
Curb
(intransitive) To crouch; to cringe.
Curb
To bend or curve.
Crooked and curbed lines.
Curb
To guide and manage, or restrain, as with a curb; to bend to one's will; to subject; to subdue; to restrain; to confine; to keep in check.
Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed.
Where pinching want must curb thy warm desires.
Curb
To furnish with a curb, as a well; also, to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth.
Curb
To bend; to crouch; to cringe.
Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.
Curb
That which curbs, restrains, or subdues; a check or hindrance; esp., a chain or strap attached to the upper part of the branches of a bit, and capable of being drawn tightly against the lower jaw of the horse.
He that before ran in the pastures wildFelt the stiff curb control his angry jaws.
By these men, religion,that should beThe curb, is made the spur of tyranny.
Curb
An assemblage of three or more pieces of timber, or a metal member, forming a frame around an opening, and serving to maintain the integrity of that opening; also, a ring of stone serving a similar purpose, as at the eye of a dome.
Curb
A frame or wall round the mouth of a well; also, a frame within a well to prevent the earth caving in.
Curb
A curbstone.
Curb
A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness.
Curb
An edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
Curb
A horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse
Curb
A stock exchange in New York
Curb
The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess;
His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
Curb
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Curb
To put down by force or authority;
Suppress a nascent uprising
Stamp down on littering
Conquer one's desires
Curb
Keep to the curb;
Curb your dogs
Curb
Place restrictions on;
Curtail drinking in school
Common Curiosities
Can curb be used metaphorically?
Yes, curb can be used metaphorically to indicate a restraint or limitation on something.
What is a curb?
A curb is the edge of a sidewalk or a restraint, commonly used in American English.
Are curb and kerb the same?
Yes, they refer to the same structure but differ in regional spelling and some contextual uses.
What does kerb mean?
Kerb refers to the stone edging of a pavement or street, as spelled in British English.
Can kerb have a metaphorical meaning?
Kerb is rarely used metaphorically and is mostly associated with physical boundaries.
How does the use of curb and kerb reflect on English language variations?
The terms showcase the spelling and usage differences between American and British English.
Why is the spelling different between curb and kerb?
The spelling reflects the historical development and standardization of English in different regions.
Is kerb used in American English?
No, kerb is not typically used in American English; curb is the preferred term.
Is there a difference in meaning between curb and kerb?
The primary meaning is the same, but curb also has metaphorical uses which kerb lacks.
Can curb refer to anything besides a sidewalk edge?
Yes, curb can also refer to any form of restraint or control over something.
How does the choice between curb and kerb affect language learning?
It highlights the importance of understanding regional differences in English spelling and usage.
Do curb and kerb have the same applications in urban planning?
Yes, in their respective regions, both terms are used in urban planning and pedestrian safety contexts.
What's the difference in pronunciation between curb and kerb?
There is no difference in pronunciation; they are both pronounced /kɜːrb/.
Where is the term kerb more commonly used?
Kerb is more commonly used in the UK, Australia, and other regions using British English.
Is kerb used in official documents outside the US?
Yes, kerb is used in official documents and discussions regarding urban planning in British English-speaking countries.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
