curly

American  

[kur-lee] / ˈkɜr li /

adjective

curlier, curliest

1. curling curling or tending to curl.

   curly blond hair.

2. having curls (usually used in combination).

   curlyheaded.

3. having a rippled or undulating appearance, as cut and finished wood.

   curly maple.

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curly British  

/ ˈkɜːlɪ /

adjective

1. tending to curl; curling

2. having curls

3. (of timber) having irregular curves or waves in the grain

4. difficult to counter or answer

   a curly question

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Other Word Forms

• curliness noun

Etymology

Origin of curly

First recorded in 1720–30; curl + -y ¹

Example Sentences

But then I notice Lisa-Marie Anne running toward us, her curly blonde hair flying in the wind, and wish I was still hearing about my brother’s career goals.

From Literature

She had thick, curly hair that was brown as tree bark, and skin like fresh coffee with steamed milk.

From Literature

He shut off the water and began massaging shampoo into Jeff’s curly pelt.

From Literature

The man dug into his pocket with a long-suffering sigh, the dim light gleaming off a sprinkling of curly gray hairs on his saggy pectorals and belly.

From Literature

I rarely straighten my mop of thick, curly hair, and when I do, it’s not always a great experience.

From Salon

Related Words

• coiled
• curled
• fuzzy
• kinky
• wavy