# curling

/ˈkɝɫɪŋ/ (US) · /kˈɜːlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/curling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the winter sport

noun · CEFR B2

a winter sport where players slide heavy stones across ice toward a target.

For teachers: a team sport played on ice in which players slide polished granite stones toward a circular target area called the house.

- We watched the curling match during the Winter Olympics last night.
- Curling requires immense precision and strategy, as teammates use brooms to alter the ice surface and influence the stone's path.

Usage: Usually treated as an uncountable noun when referring to the sport.

### 2. forming a curved shape

noun · CEFR B2

the movement or shape of something twisting into a curve.

For teachers: the action or process of forming into a curved or spiral shape.

- The curling of the old pages made the book difficult to read.
- The artist captured the delicate curling of the autumn leaves as they dried in the afternoon sun.

## Examples

- They watch curling on TV every winter.
- Curling demands a unique blend of athletic precision and strategic foresight, often described as chess on ice.

---

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.