Hex vs. Curse — What's the Difference?

A jinx or ill omen.

An expression of wish that misfortune falls upon someone.

A bewitchment or enchantment meant to bring harm.

A curse (also called an imprecation, malediction, hex, execration, malison, anathema, or commination) is any expressed wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to one or more persons, a place, or an object. In particular, "curse" may refer to such a wish or pronouncement made effective by a supernatural or spiritual power, such as a god or gods, a spirit, or a natural force, or else as a kind of spell by magic or witchcraft; in the latter sense, a curse can also be called a hex or a jinx.

A charm or amulet with malevolent intentions.

An appeal or prayer for evil or misfortune to befall someone or something.

Cast a spell on; bewitch

Evil or misfortune viewed as resulting from such an appeal

A magic spell; a curse

A source or cause of evil; a scourge

Short for hexadecimal

A profane word or phrase; a swearword.

Short for hexadecimal

(Ecclesiastical) A censure, ban, or anathema.

An evil spell; a curse.

(Offensive) Menstruation. Used with the.

One that brings bad luck.

To invoke evil or misfortune upon; damn.

To put a hex on.

To swear at

To bring or wish bad luck to

To bring evil upon; afflict

Hexagonal. Used of hardware, such as bolts and screws, with hexagonal heads or hexagonal sockets.

(Ecclesiastical) To put under a ban or anathema; excommunicate.

(transitive) To cast a spell on (specifically an evil spell), to bewitch.

To utter curses; swear.

An evil spell or curse.

A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.

A witch.

A prayer or imprecation that harm may befall someone.

(rare) A spell (now rare but still found in compounds such as hex sign and hexcraft).

The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.

Clipping of hexadecimal

A vulgar epithet.

A hexagonal space on a game board.

A woman's menses.

(climbing) a hexagon-shaped item of rock climbing equipment intended to be wedged into a crack or other opening in the rock.

(transitive) To place a curse upon (a person or object).

An evil spell;

To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.

Cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something

(transitive) To speak or shout a vulgar curse or epithet.

Of or pertaining to a number system having 16 as its base

(intransitive) To use offensive or morally inappropriate language.

A magical spell cast to harm someone.

To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness to; to furnish with that which will be a cause of deep trouble; to afflict or injure grievously; to harass or torment.

An invocation of bad luck.

To call upon divine or supernatural power to send injury upon; to imprecate evil upon; to execrate.

To bring great evil upon; to be the cause of serious harm or unhappiness to; to furnish with that which will be a cause of deep trouble; to afflict or injure grievously; to harass or torment.

To utter imprecations or curses; to affirm or deny with imprecations; to swear.

An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction.

Evil pronounced or invoked upon another, solemnly, or in passion; subjection to, or sentence of, divine condemnation.

The cause of great harm, evil, or misfortune; that which brings evil or severe affliction; torment.

Profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger;

An appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on someone or some group

An evil spell;

Something causes misery or death;

A severe affliction

Utter obscenities or profanities;

Heap obscenities upon;

Wish harm upon; invoke evil upon;

Exclude from a church or a religious community;

A magical spell intended to harm or punish.

An affliction or bad luck seen as sent by a higher power.

A swear or profane word.

A source of ongoing problems or difficulties.

A hex is a specific type of curse, so its potency can vary, but it's always intended to cause harm.

Typically, a hex is intended to cause harm or misfortune.

Yes, a curse can be a mere verbal expression of annoyance or anger without magical intent.

While a hex requires intention, a curse can sometimes be an impulsive utterance without intent.

While similar, a jinx typically refers to bad luck, while a hex is a specific magical spell to cause harm.

Folklore and legends often speak of cursed or hexed objects bringing misfortune to those who possess them.

While both terms primarily denote negative intentions, context matters. Some might use "curse" more casually.

In folklore, hexes are often cast by those with magical knowledge or abilities.

In many cultures and traditions, there are rituals or practices believed to break or counteract hexes and curses.

Both concepts are ancient and can be found in early cultures and literature, so it's hard to determine which came first.

Beliefs in hexes and curses vary by culture and individual. Some believe in their power, while others see them as superstition.

Rarely, but in some contexts, "curse" might be used humorously or ironically.

Often, but not exclusively. Hexes can be part of other magical or cultural practices.

Context is key. Hexes usually involve specific spells or rituals, while curses might be broader in scope.

Traditionally, hexes are harmful. Protective charms are often called amulets or talismans.