spiral

American  

[spahy-ruhl] / ˈspaɪ rəl /

noun

1. Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.

2. a helix.

3. a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.

4. a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.

5. Aeronautics. a maneuver in which an airplane descends in a helix of small pitch and large radius, with the angle of attack within that of the normal flight range.

6. Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.

7. Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. inflationary spiral, or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. deflationary spiral.

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adjective

1. running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane.

   a spiral curve.

2. coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.

3. of or of the nature of a spire or coil.

4. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound.

   a spiral notebook.

verb (used without object)

spirals, present (3rd person singular) spiraled, past participle, past spiralled, past participle, past spiraling, present participle spiralling present participle

1. to take a spiral form or course.

2. to advance or increase steadily; rise.

   Costs have been spiraling all year.

3. Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.

verb (used with object)

spirals, present (3rd person singular) spiraled, past participle, past spiralled, past participle, past spiraling, present participle spiralling present participle

1. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

spiral British  

/ ˈspaɪərəl /

noun

1. geometry one of several plane curves formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing distance from it. Polar equation of Archimedes spiral: r = a θ; of logarithmic spiral: log r = a θ; of hyperbolic spiral: r θ = a, (where a is a constant)

2. another name for helix

3. something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape

4. a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft descends describing a helix of comparatively large radius with the angle of attack within the normal flight range Compare spin

5. economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production

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adjective

1. having the shape of a spiral

verb

1. to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape

2. (intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration

   wages and prices continue to spiral

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spirally
  adverb
• subspiral
  adjective
• unspiralled
  adjective
• unspirally
  adverb
• unspiraled
  adjective
• multispiral
  adjective
• unspiral
  adjective
• spirality
  noun
• nonspiral
  adjective
• subspirally
  adverb

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have spiralled
  perfect
• have spiraled
  perfect
• have been spiralling
  perfect progressive
• has spiraled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has spiralled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been spiraling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been spiraling
  perfect progressive
• is spiraling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are spiralling
  progressive
• has been spiralling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is spiralling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am spiraling
  progressive 1st person singular
• are spiraling
  progressive
• spirals
  singular 3rd person
• am spiralling
  progressive 1st person singular
• spiraling
  participle
• spiralling
  participle

Past

• had spiraled
  perfect
• had spiralled
  perfect
• was spiralling
  progressive singular
• were spiraling
  progressive plural
• were spiralling
  progressive plural
• was spiraling
  progressive singular
• had been spiraling
  perfect progressive
• spiraled
  participle
• had been spiralling
  perfect progressive
• spiralled
  simple
• spiralled
  participle
• spiraled
  simple

Future

• will spiral
  simple
• will have spiraled
  perfect
• will have spiralled
  perfect
• will be spiralling
  progressive
• will be spiraling
  progressive
• will have been spiralling
  perfect progressive
• will have been spiraling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of spiral

1545–55; < Medieval Latin spīrālis, equivalent to Latin spīr ( a ) coil (< Greek speîra anything coiled, wreathed, or twisted; see spire ²) + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

A spiral is a coil or curl, like the shape of a piece of hair wound around your finger, a Slinky toy, or a corkscrew. A curve forming a series of circles that become gradually larger or smaller is one kind of spiral. You can also use the word as a verb when something moves in a spiral shape: "Then the wind died and I watched my kite spiral down to the ground." The origin of spiral is the Medieval Latin spiralis, which means "winding or coiling," from a Greek root: speira, "coil, twist, or wreath."

Example Sentences

“The Helicoide epitomizes the bid for a really rapid urban modernization,” said Lisa Blackmore, co-editor of a book on the Helicoide titled “Downward Spiral: El Helicoide’s Descent from Mall to Prison.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Spiral sequences would also be an attractive tool in MRI research, where, among other things, they could provide researchers and health professionals with new knowledge about brain diseases.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2024

Spiral lightbulbs and light tubes that are straight and u-shaped are likely fluorescent, as are bulbs with the letter F on the code printed on the bulb/tube.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

In 2011 she wrote and choreographed “The Spiral Show,” the first Broadway-style musical produced in China.

From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2023

“I am impatient to be gone from here. Spiral Castle has brought me only grief; I have no wish to see it again.”

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• circling
• coiled