sinuous
Americanadjective
-
having many curves, bends, or turns; winding.
a sinuous path.
- Synonyms:
- serpentine
- Antonyms:
- straight
-
indirect; devious.
sinuous questions.
- Synonyms:
- roundabout
- Antonyms:
- direct
-
characterized by a series of graceful curving motions.
a sinuous dance.
-
Botany. sinuate, as a leaf.
adjective
-
full of turns or curves; intricate
-
devious; not straightforward
-
supple; lithe
Other Word Forms
- sinuously adverb
- sinuousness noun
- subsinuous adjective
- unsinuous adjective
- unsinuously adverb
- unsinuousness noun
Etymology
Origin of sinuous
From the Latin word sinuōsus, dating back to 1570–80. See sinus, -ous
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.
But at heart it’s a sinuous expression of its writer-director’s notions about people, movies, places and the past.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025
The altar frontal presents the Pentecost, as if on stage, enacted by high-relief figures, framed by a sinuous drape.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025
Released just in time for Pride month in 2023, the slinky, sinuous club anthem became an unexpected viral smash.
From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024
The rim of the Tanba basket by Enkay follows the sinuous lines of a river.
From Seattle Times • May 28, 2024
She left without another word; her walk was so fluid, so sinuous that I felt a sharp pang of jealousy.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
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.
