curly
KUR-lee
Curly (adjective) means Formed into curls or ringlets; not straight. Example: “He has thick, curly hair that's impossible to tame.”
adjective
1
Formed into curls or ringlets; not straight.
"He has thick, curly hair that's impossible to tame."
2
Complicated or tricky to deal with.
"The negotiations got a bit curly toward the end."
How to use curly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly describes curly hair, but can also mean "tricky" or "complicated" informally.
Common pairings
curly hair
curly fries
a curly situation
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Word forms
- Plural
- curlies
- Comparative
- curlier
- Superlative
- curliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He has thick, _____ hair that's impossible to tame.
Etymology
From "curl" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."
Related words
Rhymes for curly
See all rhymes for curly →Frequently asked questions
What does “curly” mean?
The word “curly” means formed into curls or ringlets; not straight. In plain terms, mostly describes curly hair, but can also mean "tricky" or "complicated" informally.
How do you pronounce “curly”?
“Curly” is pronounced KUR-lee (/ˈkɝli/ in IPA).
How do you use “curly” in a sentence?
Here is “curly” used in a sentence: “He has thick, curly hair that's impossible to tame.”
What part of speech is “curly”?
“Curly” is an adjective.
Is “curly” a common word?
“Curly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “curly” have?
“Curly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: formed into curls or ringlets; not straight.
What is the difference between curly and wavy hair?
Curly hair is formed into distinct curls or ringlets, while wavy hair has a looser, more subtle bend that doesn't form full curls. Curly is generally used for hair with a tighter, more defined curl pattern.
What does it mean when a problem is described as curly?
When applied to a situation rather than hair, curly means complicated or tricky to deal with, as in "a curly legal question." This figurative sense is common in informal speech, particularly in Australian and New Zealand English.
Is curly only used to describe hair?
No, curly can describe anything formed into curls or ringlets, such as curly hair or curly wire, but it also has a separate figurative meaning describing something complicated or tricky. Context usually makes clear which sense is intended.
