Curl
/kɜːrl/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo form into a curved or coiled shape; to move or cause to move in a curved or coiled shape; to give a curly appearance to (hair).
/kɜːrl/
To form into a curved or coiled shape
She curled up on the sofa with a book.
💡 Simply: Like when you wind your hair around a curling iron to make it wavy, or when smoke twirls upwards. It’s about making something bend or twist into a round shape.
👶 For kids: To make something bend into a round shape, like a snail's shell or a ribbon.
More Examples
The baby's fingers curled around her mother's.
The vines curled around the fence.
He curled the end of the paper to make a note
How It's Used
"She curled her lip in disgust."
"I'm going to curl my hair before the party."
"The smoke curled lazily into the air."
A curved or coiled form or shape; a single curve or loop.
/kɜːrl/
A curved or coiled shape or something having that form
Her hair had a natural curl.
💡 Simply: That round, twisty shape, like a ringlet of hair or the curved part of a wave.
👶 For kids: A round, bendy shape.
More Examples
A curl of smoke rose from the chimney.
He noticed the delicate curl on the surface of the artwork.
A wave with a nice curl.
How It's Used
"She had a beautiful curl in her hair."
"The skater performed a triple curl."
In sports like football, to move a ball in a curved path, often to avoid an obstacle or to score.
/kɜːrl/
To move in a curved path, especially in sports
He curled the free kick into the net.
💡 Simply: Like bending a soccer ball around the defenders, curving the ball in a certain direction
👶 For kids: When the ball goes in a round shape in sports.
More Examples
The golfer managed to curl his drive around the trees.
The basketball player curled the ball to score a point.
The footballer curled the ball to the left of the net.
How It's Used
"The footballer curled the ball around the wall."
"He curled the shot into the top corner."
Idioms & expressions
curl up
To lie or sit with your knees drawn up and your body rounded
"She curled up on the sofa to read a book."
curl one's lip
To show dislike or contempt by tightening the upper lip.
"She curled her lip at his suggestion."
From Middle English *crulle, from Old Norse krulla, akin to Old English *crull (in *crull-toc, a curled lock of hair).
Historically, 'curl' has been used to describe physical movements and shapes, as well as abstract concepts like the formation of waves or smoke.