curl
n. · v.-
1 hair (n.) B1 Intermediatea piece of hair that grows in a curved or spiral shape.
a lock of hair that forms a ringlet or spiral shape.
ExampleShe used a special cream to keep every curl in place during the humid weather.
ExampleThe child's natural curls were so tight that they appeared much shorter than they actually were when pulled straight.
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2 curved shape (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatesomething that has a curved or spiral shape, like a piece of smoke or wood.
a curved stroke, shape, or spiral formation of a substance or object.
ExampleA thin curl of smoke rose from the chimney into the cold winter air.
ExampleThe carpenter carefully removed a long curl of wood from the plank with his hand plane.
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3 exercise (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sporta gym exercise where you bend your arm or leg against weight.
a weight-training exercise involving the flexion of a joint against resistance, typically targeting the biceps.
ExampleHe finished his workout with three sets of bicep curls.
ExampleThe trainer emphasized that performing a curl with proper form is more effective than using a heavier weight with momentum.
- flexion
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4 to form a spiral (v.) B1 Intermediateto twist something into a curved or spiral shape.
to form or cause to form into a curve or spiral.
ExampleThe cat likes to curl its tail around its body when it sleeps.
ExampleThe edges of the old photograph had begun to curl upward after years of being stored in a damp basement.
- straighten
- unroll
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5 to move in a curve (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto move in a path that is not straight.
to move in a curved or spiraling trajectory.
ExampleThe ball started to curl to the left as it flew toward the goal.
ExampleThe road began to curl around the base of the mountain, offering spectacular views of the valley below.
From metathesis of Middle English crulle (“curled, curly”), of uncertain origin but probably from an unrecorded Old English word or from Middle Dutch crul, crulle (“curl”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic kruzlǭ (“bent or crooked object, curl”), connected to krūsą (“curl”), of unknown origin. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Krulle (“curl, lock”), West Frisian krul (“curl”), Dutch krul (“curl”), German Low German Krull (“curl”), dialectal German Krolle (“curl”), Danish krølle (“curl”), Norwegian Bokmål krøll (“curl”). Related also to Saterland Frisian Kruus (“curl”), German kraus (“frizzy, crumpled, curly”), Danish krus (“curl”), Swedish krusa (“to crimp, curl”). Compare also Gothic 𐌺𐍂𐌹𐌿𐍃𐍄𐌰𐌽 (kriustan, “to grind, crush, gnash”).