# spiral

/ˈspaɪɹəɫ/ (US) · /spˈaɪəɹəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. geometric shape

noun · CEFR B2

a curve that winds around a central point, getting wider as it goes.

For teachers: a curve on a plane that winds around a fixed center point at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance.

- 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.

### 2. uncontrolled situation

noun · CEFR B2

a situation that gets worse and worse very quickly and feels impossible to stop.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to change rapidly

verb · CEFR B2

to increase or decrease very quickly in a way that cannot be controlled.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. shaped like a spiral

adjective · CEFR B2

having the shape of a curve that winds around a center.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The stairs in the old tower form a tight spiral.
- The team fell into a downward spiral of losses after their star player was injured in the first game.
- Economists warned that without immediate intervention, the country could face an inflationary spiral where rising costs and wage demands feed into one another indefinitely.

---

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.