Word
Definitions
01geometric shape
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Mathematics
n. a curve that winds around a central point, getting wider as it goes.
n. a curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance.
Español:hélice
“The shell of the snail was a perfect brown spiral.”
“The architect designed a grand spiral staircase that served as the focal point of the museum's central atrium.”
02uncontrolled situation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a situation that gets worse and worse very quickly and feels impossible to stop.
n. a continuous and often accelerating decline or increase, typically one that is perceived as being out of control.
“The company entered a downward spiral after its main product failed.”
“Economists feared that the rising cost of energy would trigger an inflationary spiral that the central bank could not easily contain.”
03to change rapidly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to increase or decrease very quickly in a way that cannot be controlled.
v. to increase or decrease rapidly and uncontrollably, often used in economic or emotional contexts.
“Prices began to spiral out of control during the summer months.”
“After the scandal broke, the politician's approval ratings began to spiral, leading to an emergency meeting with his advisors.”
Antonyms
04shaped like a spiral
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having the shape of a curve that winds around a center.
adj. possessing a helical or spiral form; typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun.
“She bought a spiral notebook for her chemistry class.”
“The galaxy's spiral arms contain a high concentration of young, blue stars and interstellar gas.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“As a spiral galaxy similar to our own Milky Way galaxy, NGC 4698 has spiral arms that curl around within a thin disk of stars, gas and dust.” “Instead of running in a straight line, the waveguides are arranged in spirals.” “Photograph: Stephen Hird/Reuters There have been many occasions when the nastiness has spiralled out of control.” Etymology
From Middle French spirale, from Medieval Latin spiralis, from Latin spīra, from Ancient Greek σπεῖρα (speîra, “wreath, coil, twist”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/spiral
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0