First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1curl
verb \ˈkər(-ə)l\
: to twist or form (something) into a round or curved shape
: to become curved or rounded
: to move in curves or circles
Full Definition of CURL
transitive verb
1
: to form (as the hair) into coils or ringlets
2
: to form into a curved shape : twist <curled his lip in a sneer>
3
: to furnish with curls
intransitive verb
1
a : to grow in coils or spirals b : to form ripples or crinkles <bacon curling in a pan>
2
: to move or progress in curves or spirals : wind <the path curled along the mountainside>
4
: to play the game of curling
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Origin of CURL
Middle English, from crul curly, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German krol curly
2curl
noun
: a piece of hair that is formed into a round shape
: the ability of hair to form curls
: something that is curved or has a round shape
Full Definition of CURL
1
: a lock of hair that coils : ringlet
2
: something having a spiral or winding form : coil
4
: a curved or spiral marking in the grain of wood
5
: a hollow arch of water formed when the crest of a breaking wave spills forward
6
: a usually short pass pattern in football in which a receiver runs downfield and then curves back toward the line of scrimmage
7
: a body-building exercise in which a weight held with the palms facing up is raised and lowered by flexing only the wrists or elbows
See curl defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CURL
1578
Curl
biographical name \ˈkər(-ə)l\
Definition of CURL
Robert Floyd 1933– Am. chem.
CURLED Defined for Kids
1curl
verb \ˈkərl\
curledcurl·ing
Definition of CURL for Kids
1
: to twist or form into ringlets <curl hair>
2
: to take or move in a curved form <Smoke was curling from the chimney.>
— curl up
: to arrange the body into a ball <You would come into a room, and he might be curled up in a chair, but you wouldn't see him. — E. B. White, Stuart Little>
2curl
noun
Definition of CURL for Kids
1
: a lock of hair that coils : ringlet
2
: something having a spiral or winding form : coil <a curl of smoke>
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