curly

adjective

ˈkər-lē How to pronounce curly (audio)
curlier; curliest
Synonyms of curlynext
1
: tending to curl
also : having curls
curly hair
2
: having the grain composed of fibers that undulate without crossing and that often form alternating light and dark lines
curly maple
curliness noun

Synonyms of curly

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Examples of curly in a Sentence

She has curly hair and blue eyes. The dog's tail is curly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Michael wore bell-bottoms, and his hair was long and curly, like Leah’s. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Her hair is still red, but now straightened and shortened into a bob; the curly and queenly aura is now history in favor of something that is even h-o-t-t-e-r-t-o-go. — Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026 Although Roan usually wears her hair long and curly, the singer has experimented with a few bobs in the past. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner Made specifically for thick, curly hair, its lightweight yet deeply moisturizing blend of babassu oil, pomegranate, honey, and murumuru seed butter works for different textures. — Dana Oliver, Parents, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for curly

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curly was in 1598

Phrases Containing curly

Rhymes for curly

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Browse Nearby Words

curl up
curly
curly birch
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Cite this Entry

“Curly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

curly

adjective
ˈkər-lē How to pronounce curly (audio)
curlier; curliest
: tending to curl
also : having curls
curly hair
curliness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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