spiral

American  

[spahy-ruhl] / ˈspaɪ rəl /

noun

1. Geometry. a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.

2. a helix.

3. a single circle or ring of a spiral or helical curve or object.

4. a spiral or helical object, formation, or form.

5. Aeronautics. a maneuver in which an airplane descends in a helix of small pitch and large radius, with the angle of attack within that of the normal flight range.

6. Football. a type of kick or pass in which the ball turns on its longer axis as it flies through the air.

7. Economics. a continuous increase in costs, wages, prices, etc. inflationary spiral, or a decrease in costs, wages, prices, etc. deflationary spiral.

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adjective

1. running continuously around a fixed point or center while constantly receding from or approaching it; coiling in a single plane.

   a spiral curve.

2. coiling around a fixed line or axis in a constantly changing series of planes; helical.

3. of or of the nature of a spire or coil.

4. bound with a spiral binding; spiral-bound.

   a spiral notebook.

verb (used without object)

spiraled, spiraling, spiralled, spiralling

1. to take a spiral form or course.

2. to advance or increase steadily; rise.

   Costs have been spiraling all year.

3. Aeronautics. to fly an airplane through a spiral course.

verb (used with object)

spiraled, spiraling, spiralled, spiralling

1. to cause to take a spiral form or course.

spiral British  

/ ˈspaɪərəl /

noun

1. geometry one of several plane curves formed by a point winding about a fixed point at an ever-increasing distance from it. Polar equation of Archimedes spiral: r = a θ; of logarithmic spiral: log r = a θ; of hyperbolic spiral: r θ = a, (where a is a constant)

2. another name for helix

3. something that pursues a winding, usually upward, course or that displays a twisting form or shape

4. a flight manoeuvre in which an aircraft descends describing a helix of comparatively large radius with the angle of attack within the normal flight range Compare spin

5. economics a continuous upward or downward movement in economic activity or prices, caused by interaction between prices, wages, demand, and production

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adjective

1. having the shape of a spiral

verb

1. to assume or cause to assume a spiral course or shape

2. (intr) to increase or decrease with steady acceleration

   wages and prices continue to spiral

Other Word Forms

• multispiral
  adjective
• nonspiral
  adjective
• spirality
  noun
• spirally
  adverb
• subspiral
  adjective
• subspirally
  adverb
• unspiral
  adjective
• unspiraled
  adjective
• unspiralled
  adjective
• unspirally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of spiral

1545–55; < Medieval Latin spīrālis, equivalent to Latin spīr ( a ) coil (< Greek speîra anything coiled, wreathed, or twisted; see spire ²) + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

A spiral is a coil or curl, like the shape of a piece of hair wound around your finger, a Slinky toy, or a corkscrew. A curve forming a series of circles that become gradually larger or smaller is one kind of spiral. You can also use the word as a verb when something moves in a spiral shape: "Then the wind died and I watched my kite spiral down to the ground." The origin of spiral is the Medieval Latin spiralis, which means "winding or coiling," from a Greek root: speira, "coil, twist, or wreath."

Example Sentences

In normal times, the Fed won’t change its interest rate policy based on higher energy prices, which tend to fade without causing an inflationary spiral.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

The rate of attrition, or the number of service members leaving the military, has also declined slightly, after being described as causing "a death spiral" by former Defence Minister Bill Blair in 2024.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Rodriguez has insisted on the need for "responsible" wage increases that do not cause inflation to further spiral.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Much like surfers riding ocean waves, stars can gain momentum from spiral arms and drift to larger distances over time.

From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026

Her talon came to rest at the heart of the spiral.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• circling
• coiled