curl
gb/kˈɚl/ us/kˈɚl/
A2
English
~ 1100
kunkorít, begöndörít, összekuporodik, összegömbölyödik, göndör fürt, kunkor, lokni, tekeredik, kanyarog, kígyózik, felpöndörödik, felkunkorodik
VERB
A2
1
kunkorít
B2
begöndörít
B1
Usage pattern:
to curl [something]
She curled the ribbon before tying it around the gift.
Begöndörítette a szalagot, mielőtt az ajándék köré kötötte.
The cat curled its tail around her leg.
A macska a lába köré kunkorította a farkát.
He curled the paper into a tube.
Learner examples
I curl my hair for parties.
Bulikra begöndörítem a hajam.
The snake curls around the tree.
A kígyó a fa köré tekeredik.
He curls the rope into a circle.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'curl' with 'curve'; 'curve' is more general and not always about bending something intentionally.
Meaning
Form into a curved shape
Collocations
curl hair
|curl up
|curl around
|curl toes
Synonyms
coil (Implies winding into loops, often more tightly than 'curl'.)
Antonyms
straighten (Means to make something flat or without curves.)
Themes
daily life
|appearance
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something bend or turn into a round shape.
To bend or twist something so that it forms a curve or spiral.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to curl up [somewhere]
She curled up under the blanket and fell asleep.
Összekuporodott a takaró alatt, és elaludt.
The child curled up in his mother's lap.
A gyerek összekuporodott az anyja ölében.
He curled up on the couch with a good novel.
Learner examples
I curl up in bed when I am cold.
Összekuporodom az ágyban, amikor fázom.
The cat curls up on the chair.
A macska összegömbölyödik a széken.
She curls up on the sofa to watch TV.
Meaning
Move into a curved shape
Collocations
curl up in bed
|curl up on the sofa
|curl up with a book
Synonyms
huddle (Implies drawing oneself together, often for warmth or protection.)
Antonyms
stretch out (Means to extend the body fully instead of bending.)
Themes
daily life
|body movement
|body
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make your body or part of it bend into a round shape.
To position oneself or part of the body in a curved or rounded shape.
NOUN
A2
3
A single curl fell across her forehead.
Egyetlen göndör fürt hullott a homlokába.
He brushed the curls from his eyes.
Kisöpörte a szeméből a fürtjeit.
The child had soft, brown curls.
Learner examples
She has a curl in her hair.
Van egy göndör fürt a hajában.
He likes girls with curls.
Szereti a göndör hajú lányokat.
I see a curl on his head.
Meaning
Small curved piece or shape
Collocations
a curl of hair
|golden curls
|tight curls
Synonyms
ringlet (Specifically refers to a long, tight curl of hair.)
Antonyms
straight lock (Refers to hair that is not curled.)
Themes
appearance
|objects
|body
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small piece of hair or other thing that is round in shape.
A small piece or shape that is curved or spiral, especially of hair or similar material.
VERB
B1
4
Usage pattern:
to curl around [something]
The vine curled around the fence post.
A szőlőinda a kerítésoszlop köré tekeredett.
Smoke curled around the chimney.
Füst kanyargott a kémény körül.
The snake curled around the tree trunk.
Learner examples
The rope curls around the stick.
A kötél a bot köré tekeredik.
The snake curls around the tree.
A kígyó a fa köré tekeredik.
The plant curls around the pole.
Meaning
Move in curve around something
Collocations
curl around a branch
|curl around the pole
Synonyms
twine (Implies wrapping closely around something.)
Antonyms
unwrap (Means to remove from around something rather than wrapping.)
Themes
movement
|nature
|space
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go around something in a curve.
To move so as to go around something in a curved or spiral path.
VERB
B1
5
Usage pattern:
to curl at/on [the edges]
The old photograph had curled at the corners.
A régi fénykép sarkai felpöndörödtek.
Heat made the plastic sheet curl.
A hőtől felpöndörödött a műanyag lap.
The leaves curled and turned brown in the sun.
Learner examples
The paper curls at the edges.
A papír szélei felpöndörödnek.
The leaf curls in summer heat.
A levél felkunkorodik a nyári hőségben.
The photo curls after many years.
Meaning
Bend edges upward/inward
Collocations
paper curls at the edges
|leaves curling
Synonyms
warp (Often used for damage or distortion from heat or moisture; less about spiral shapes.)
Antonyms
flatten (Means to make smooth and even without bends.)
Themes
objects
|materials
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make the sides of something bend up or in.
To cause the edges of an object to bend upward or inward, often due to heat, moisture, or aging.
Grammar
Dictionary form
curl
IPA
GB/kˈɚl/
US/kˈɚl/
Syllables & stress
curl (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (curl)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: curl
- Plural: curl, curls
Verb
- Base: curl
- 3rd Person Singular: curls
- Present Participle: curling
- Past: curled
Word family
Forms
curls
noun
curling
verb
curled
verb
Core family
curly
adjective A2
Related words
curler
noun
Negative and opposite forms
uncurl
verb
Advanced or less common
curliness
noun
Expressions
curl one's lip
1/kˈɚl wˈʌnz lˈɪp/
idiom
Raise lip to show dislike/contempt
To move your lip up on one side to show you do not like something or someone.
Examples
- She curled her lip at his rude remark.
- He curled his lip in disgust when he saw the mess.
curl up
1/kˈɚl ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Sit/lie with body bent inwards
To sit or lie with your arms and legs close to your body.
Examples
- She curled up on the sofa to watch TV.
- He curled up under the blankets because it was cold.
make your toes curl
1/mˈeɪk jˈʊɹ tˈoʊz kˈɚl/
idiom
informal
Cause extreme embarrassment/discomfort
To make someone feel very embarrassed or uncomfortable.
Examples
- His bad singing made my toes curl.
- That awkward moment made her toes curl.