frizz

¹ American  

[friz] / frɪz /

Or friz

verb (used with or without object)

1. to form into small, crisp curls or little tufts.

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noun

1. the state of being frizzed.

2. something frizzed; frizzed hair.

frizz ² American  

[friz] / frɪz /

verb (used with or without object)

1. frizzle.

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frizz British  

/ frɪz /

verb

1. (of the hair, nap, etc) to form or cause (the hair, etc) to form tight wiry curls or crisp tufts

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noun

1. hair that has been frizzed

2. the state of being frizzed

Other Word Forms

• frizzer noun

Etymology

Origin of frizz

First recorded in 1650–60; back formation from frizzle ¹

Example Sentences

We found the two apes, with their telltale ginger frizz and bulbous bellies, grazing in the canopy.

From National Geographic

My frizz had shrunk at least two inches, thanks to the humid air.

From Literature

And even those without naturally curly hair might notice their hair curling – or, let’s be honest, frizzing – a bit on humid summer days.

From Scientific American

This is the only restaurant I know that crowns it with a frizz of fried dried shredded flank steak and fills it with corn cream, a discovery made when fork strikes core.

From Washington Post

McIntosh cited footage she found of women at a long hair competition and an image of Miss Philadelphia 1924, her hair a mess of frizz around her face before falling into long ringlets.

From New York Times

Related Words

• buckle
• coil
• contort
• curve
• fold
• twirl
• twist
• writhe