curly

adjective

ˈkər-lē How to pronounce curly (audio)
curlier; curliest
Synonyms of curlynext
1
: tending to curl
also : having curls
curly hair
2
: having the grain composed of fibers that undulate without crossing and that often form alternating light and dark lines
curly maple
curliness noun

Synonyms of curly

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Examples of curly in a Sentence

She has curly hair and blue eyes. The dog's tail is curly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The other person, her eyes narrowed, leans her face into the towering, curly Afro of her partner, who rests a hand on her rear end. — Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026 Rhoam Summer, with long curly hair, was identified as one of the victims by a family member. — Irene Byon, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 Sometimes, there’s power in freedom (in platform heels, tons of sequins, and a wild Donna Summer or Bonnie Tyler curly shag). — Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Oct. 2026 How, for example, can the curly leaf shape of Lollo Rossa lettuce be explained? — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curly

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curly was in 1598

Phrases Containing curly

Rhymes for curly

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Browse Nearby Words

curl up
curly
curly birch
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Cite this Entry

“Curly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curly. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

curly

adjective
ˈkər-lē How to pronounce curly (audio)
curlier; curliest
: tending to curl
also : having curls
curly hair
curliness noun
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