curl
Translation
to curl, to twist, to coil
Examples
She likes to curl her hair.
She likes to curl her hair.
The cat curled up on the sofa.
The cat curled up on the sofa.
Smoke curled up from the chimney.
Smoke curled up from the chimney.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to make (sth.) form a curl She likes to curl her hair.
((curl up)) to lie in a comfortable curved position The cat curled up on the sofa.
Similar Words
Synonyms: twist, coil, wind; Antonyms: straighten, uncoil
Etymology
From Middle English 'curlen', possibly from a Dutch word 'krul' meaning 'curl'.
Memory Tips
This word can be a verb (to curl hair) or a noun (a curl of hair). Both share the core idea of a curved shape.