frizzle

¹ American  

[friz-uhl] / ˈfrɪz əl /

verb (used with or without object)

frizzled, frizzling

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

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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.

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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

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noun

1. a tight crisp curl

frizzle ² British  

/ ˈfrɪzəl /

verb

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• frizzler noun

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

Her hair is frizzled, with stray strands curling upward.

From Literature

Don’t ignore the wisps of cilantro nor the frizzled tangles of scallion.

From Seattle Times

"Fond" is the crisped, browned bits lightly stuck to the bottom of a pan after cooking something, whether that be a chicken breast, a steak or some frizzled leeks.

From Salon

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

Their dirty blonde hair was frizzled out, like unraveling kite strings dragged through too many hands, but they didn’t seem to be concerned about what they looked like.

From Literature

Related Words

• bake
• boil
• broil
• grill
• ignite
• melt
• reheat
• roast
• sear
• steam
• thaw
• toast
• warm