curve

n. a line or surface that bends smoothly without any sharp corners.

n. a continuous bending line or surface devoid of angles.

“The road has a sharp curve just before you reach the bridge.”

“The driver struggled to maintain traction as the vehicle entered the hairpin curve at an excessive speed.”

n. the rounded parts of a person's body, often used to describe an attractive shape.

n. the anatomical contours of the human body, typically used in the plural to denote a shapely or attractive physique.

“The dress was designed to highlight her natural curves.”

“The fashion industry has faced increasing pressure to feature models with diverse body types and natural curves rather than promoting a single aesthetic.”

Informal

n. a way of grading students where their marks depend on how well the rest of the class performed.

n. a statistical method of assigning grades based on the distribution of scores within a cohort, often following a bell curve.

“The chemistry exam was so difficult that the professor decided to grade it on a curve.”

“Students often prefer being graded on a curve when the raw scores are low, as it adjusts their final marks relative to the class average.”

American English

v. to form a smooth, bending shape or to move in a bending path.

v. to deviate from a straight line or course in a smooth, continuous manner.

“The river curves through the valley for several miles.”

“The architect designed the glass facade to curve elegantly around the corner of the building, reflecting the surrounding parkland.”

v. to ignore or reject someone who is trying to start a romantic relationship with you.

v. to reject or rebuff a romantic or sexual advance, often by being evasive or ignoring the person.

“He tried to ask her out on a date, but she totally curved him.”

“After several ignored messages, he finally realized she was curving him and decided to stop reaching out.”

Slang · Informal