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Synonyms

frizzle

1 American  
[friz-uhl] / ˈfrɪz əl /

verb (used with or without object)

frizzled, frizzling

  1. to form into small, crisp curls; frizz.

noun

  1. a short, crisp curl.

frizzle 2 American  
[friz-uhl] / ˈfrɪz əl /

verb (used without object)

frizzled, frizzling

  1. to make a sizzling or sputtering noise in frying or the like.

    the sound of bacon frizzling on the stove.

verb (used with object)

frizzled, frizzling

  1. to make (food) crisp by frying.

frizzle 1 British  
/ ˈfrɪzəl /

verb

  1. to form (the hair) into tight crisp curls; frizz

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a tight crisp curl

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
frizzle 2 British  
/ ˈfrɪzəl /

verb

  1. to scorch or be scorched, esp with a sizzling noise

  2. (tr) to fry (bacon, etc) until crisp

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of frizzle1

1555–65; origin uncertain; compare Old English frīs curled, Old Frisian frēsle lock of hair

Origin of frizzle2

First recorded in 1830–40; fr(y) 1 + (s)izzle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I absolutely loved my cocktail: a Hemingway daiquiri augmented with the should-be-better-known citrusy pop Squirt, which cleverly came served in an open-topped Squirt can with a big frizzle of fresh mint for garnish.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2023

In the accompanying recipe, scallions threaded onto skewers alternately with plump scallops bring an extra element of taste, texture and beauty to the plate as the vegetable softens and its ends frizzle attractively once grilled.

From Washington Post • May 24, 2017

On his right is a plate of that same salami, crisped to a sooty black frizzle.

From Salon • May 7, 2017

Affleck, sporting just a frizzle of gray at sideburn level, brings some satisfying gravity to his performance.

From Time • Mar. 22, 2016

“Oh, oh, oh! What have you done? I’m spoiled! I can’t go! My hair, oh, my hair!” wailed Meg, looking with despair at the uneven frizzle on her forehead.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.