English Reference
Adjective

curled

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈkɝɫd/ UK /kˈɜːld/ curled

adj.shaped into a curve or a circle instead of being straight.

adj.formed into a spiral or curved shape. Often used as a participial adjective to describe hair, leaves, or body positions.


SIMPLE

She has beautiful curled hair.

CONTEXTUAL

The cat lay on the sofa with its tail curled tightly around its paws.

COMPLEX

The old manuscript was difficult to read because the edges of the parchment had become curled and brittle from centuries of exposure to damp air.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'is' or 'looks', or precedes a noun as a modifier.

When they won a free-kick, Isaac Price curled that 25-yard dead ball around the wall and beat Ewen Jaouen at his near post.

The Guardian· 26 Aug 2026

Would you buy a cauliflower that looks like it's been sunburnt or a cucumber that's curled back on itself?

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated