curl
gb/kˈɚl/ us/kˈɚl/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Form into a curved shape
To make something bend or turn into a round shape.
Usage pattern:
to curl [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'curl' with 'curve'; 'curve' is more general and not always about bending something intentionally.
Synonyms
coil (Implies winding into loops, often more tightly than 'curl'.)
Antonyms
straighten (Means to make something flat or without curves.)
Collocations
curl hair
|curl up
|curl around
|curl toes
Themes
daily life
|appearance
|movement
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She curled the ribbon before tying it around the gift.
- The cat curled its tail around her leg.
- He curled the paper into a tube.
Learner examples
- I curl my hair for parties.
- The snake curls around the tree.
- He curls the rope into a circle.
Verb
A2
action
2
Move into a curved shape
To make your body or part of it bend into a round shape.
Usage pattern:
to curl up [somewhere]
Synonyms
huddle (Implies drawing oneself together, often for warmth or protection.)
Antonyms
stretch out (Means to extend the body fully instead of bending.)
Collocations
curl up in bed
|curl up on the sofa
|curl up with a book
Themes
daily life
|body movement
|body
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She curled up under the blanket and fell asleep.
- The child curled up in his mother's lap.
- He curled up on the couch with a good novel.
Learner examples
- I curl up in bed when I am cold.
- The cat curls up on the chair.
- She curls up on the sofa to watch TV.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Small curved piece or shape
A small piece of hair or other thing that is round in shape.
Synonyms
ringlet (Specifically refers to a long, tight curl of hair.)
Antonyms
straight lock (Refers to hair that is not curled.)
Collocations
a curl of hair
|golden curls
|tight curls
Themes
appearance
|objects
|body
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A single curl fell across her forehead.
- He brushed the curls from his eyes.
- The child had soft, brown curls.
Learner examples
- She has a curl in her hair.
- He likes girls with curls.
- I see a curl on his head.
Verb
B1
action
4
Move in curve around something
To go around something in a curve.
Usage pattern:
to curl around [something]
Synonyms
twine (Implies wrapping closely around something.)
Antonyms
unwrap (Means to remove from around something rather than wrapping.)
Collocations
curl around a branch
|curl around the pole
Themes
movement
|nature
|space
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The vine curled around the fence post.
- Smoke curled around the chimney.
- The snake curled around the tree trunk.
Learner examples
- The rope curls around the stick.
- The snake curls around the tree.
- The plant curls around the pole.
Verb
B1
action
5
Bend edges upward/inward
To make the sides of something bend up or in.
Usage pattern:
to curl at/on [the edges]
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.)
Collocations
paper curls at the edges
|leaves curling
Themes
objects
|materials
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The old photograph had curled at the corners.
- Heat made the plastic sheet curl.
- The leaves curled and turned brown in the sun.
Learner examples
- The paper curls at the edges.
- The leaf curls in summer heat.
- The photo curls after many years.
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.