# curled

/ˈkɝɫd/ (US) · /kˈɜːld/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curled
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- She has beautiful curled hair.
- The cat lay on the sofa with its tail curled tightly around its paws.
- 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 notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.