curl

curl¹ [kə:l US kə:rl] v [I and T]

[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: crul 'curly' (1300-1400), probably from Middle Dutch]

1.) to form a twisted or curved shape, or to make something do this

▪ Mary was busy curling her hair.

curl around/round

▪ Ivy curled round the tree.

2.) [always + adverb/preposition]

to move, forming a twisted or curved shape, or to make something do this

curl across/along etc

▪ Morning mists curled across the river.

curl sth around/round/over etc sth

▪ He curled his arm around Claudia's waist.

3.) if you curl your lip, or if your lip curls, you move it upwards and sideways, to show that you disapprove of someone or something

▪ Her lip curled in contempt.

→make sb's toes curl at ↑toe¹ (5), make your hair curl at ↑hair

curl up phr v

1.) to move so that you are lying or sitting with your arms and legs bent close to your body

▪ I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep.

▪ Sarah was curled up on the sofa.

2.) if something flat curls up, its edges start to become curved and point upwards

▪ The letter was now yellow and beginning to curl up.

curl ²

curl² n

1.)

a piece of hair that hangs in a curved shape

▪ a little boy with beautiful blonde curls

2.) [singular, U]

the ability of your hair to form curls

▪ Use a diffuser to maximise the volume and curl of your hair.

▪ hair that has a natural curl

3.)

something in the shape of a curve

▪ Decorate the cake with chocolate curls.

curl of

▪ A curl of smoke rose from her cigarette.

4.)

an exercise in which you repeatedly bend your arms, legs, or stomach in order to make your muscles strong

5.) curl of sb's lip/mouth

a sideways and upwards movement of your lip or mouth, showing that you disapprove of someone or something