Spiral
/ˈspaɪrəl/
Definitions
3 meaningsA curve on a plane which winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the point.
/ˈspaɪrəl/
A continuous curve that winds around a central point.
The galaxy displays a stunning spiral pattern.
💡 Simply: Imagine a slide at a playground that goes round and round! That's a spiral. It's a shape that keeps going in a circle as it moves outwards.
👶 For kids: It's like a curly line that goes round and round!
More Examples
The artist drew a perfect spiral on the canvas.
The path through the maze followed a spiral trajectory.
How It's Used
"The Fibonacci sequence is often found in spiral patterns in nature."
"The staircase had a beautiful spiral design."
To move in a spiral course; to ascend or descend in a continuous curve.
/ˈspaɪrəl/
To move in a spiral course.
The hawk spiraled down towards its prey.
💡 Simply: To spiral is like going down a slide that goes around and around. It's a movement that keeps going in a circle.
👶 For kids: To go round and round like a curly slide!
More Examples
The company's profits began to spiral downwards.
As the smoke billowed, it spiraled into the air.
How It's Used
"The airplane spiraled down during its descent."
"The economy spiraled downwards after the crisis."
Having the form or shape of a spiral.
/ˈspaɪrəl/
Having the form of a spiral.
The spiral galaxy was visible through the telescope.
💡 Simply: When something is 'spiral', it means it's shaped like a curly slide or a snail's shell – it winds around and around.
👶 For kids: It's like something that's curly like a spiral slide!
More Examples
The spiral binding on the notepad made it easy to flip through the pages.
The architect designed a building with a spiral entrance ramp.
How It's Used
"The spiral staircase was a stunning architectural feature."
Idioms & expressions
spiral out of control
To rapidly worsen and become impossible to manage.
"The situation spiraled out of control after the argument."
a downward spiral
A continuous decline or worsening of something.
"He found himself caught in a downward spiral of debt and despair."
From Latin *spirālis* ('coiled, winding'), from *spīra* ('coil, twist'), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European **(s)peyr-* ('to turn, bend').
The word 'spiral' has been used since the 17th century, initially to describe shapes and later to describe processes or movements.
Memory tip
Think of a snail shell or a coiled spring.
Word Origin
"coil, twist"